IRLF 


THE 


HOUSE    SPARROW 


AT 


HOME  AND  ABROAD, 


WITH  SOME 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS  UPON  ITS  USEFULNESS, 


AND 


COPIOUS  REFERENCES  TO  THE  LITERATURE  OF  THE  SUBJECT 


BY 

THOMAS  G.  GENTRY, 

AUTHOR   OF    LIFE-HISTORIES   OF  BIRDS   OF    EASTERN    PENNSYLVANIA, 

MEMBER  OF  THE  PHILADELPHIA  ACADEMY  OF  NATURAL  SCIENCES, 

AND  CORRESPONDING  MEMBER  OF  NUTTALL  ORNITHOLOGICAL 

CLUB,  DAVENPORT  ACADEMY  OF  NATURAL  SCIENCES, 

AND  CANADIAN  ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
CLAXTON,  REMSEN,  AND  H AFFELF INGER. 

1878. 


Lib. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  j'ear  1878,  by 

THOMAS     G  .    GENTRY, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress.     All  rights  reserved. 


PHILADELPHIA : 
COLLINS,      PRINTER, 

705  Jayne  Street. 


PREFACE. 


Ix  offering  this  little  volume  to  tlie  public,  the  author  feels 
confident  that  it  will  meet  with  a  cordial  reception  from  those 
who  have  neither  the  leisure  nor  the  patience  to  make  such 
investigations  as  a  work  like  the  present  requires.  In  view 
of  the  many  heated  discussions  which  the  sparrow  has  produced 
in  this  country,  tending  to  show  its  general  usefulness,  or  whole- 
sale destructiveness,  a  careful  and  critical  survey  of  its  life-his- 
tory, detailing  the  minutest  particulars  thereof,  cannot  fail  to 
awaken  attention  and  to  command  respect.  A  desire  to  know 
the  subject  in  all  its  bearings,  must  certainly  be  of  paramount 
importance.  Agriculturists  and  fruit-growers,  mainly  of  all 
others,  will  certainly  reap  the  first  fruits  of  such  knowledge. 
The  facts,  which  the  writer  has  gleaned  from  various  fields  of 
observation,  but  largely  from  his  own,  at  infinite  pains  and 
expense,  subserve,  in  the  highest  degree,  the  interests  of  humanity, 
and  should  not  be  carelessly  set  aside  or  lightly  considered. 

With  the  disappearance  of  our  highly  insectivorous  native 
species  before  the  rapid  and  insolent  advances  of  their  hardy 
foreign  brother,  and  the  consequent  multiplication  of  insect 
foes,  must  come  the  destruction  of  vegetation  and  the  entail- 
ment  of  untold  misery  upon  man  and  beast.  The  sparrow  itself, 
by  reason  of  its  almost  exclusive  grain-eating  habits,  will 


268446 


VI  PREFACE. 

assist  in  bringing  about  this  much-to-be-regretted  condition  of 
things.  He  must  be  a  fool  who  can  close  his  eyes  to  the  fact. 
Wherever  we  turn,  evidence  of  its  baneful  influence  confronts 
our  vision.  We  cannot  escape  it.  Can  it  be  said,  therefore, 
that  a  history  of  this  bane  of  our  avi-fauna,  and  curse  of  man, 
is  labor  bestowed  upon  a  worthless  object,  is  time  sacrificed  for 
nothing?  I  know  it  will  be  affirmed  by  some,  even  if  it  has  not 
been  already,  that  the  sparrow  is  not  deserving  of  the  attention 
bestowed  upon  it.  In  reply  the  writer  would  say  that  his  only 
plea  for  writing  its  history  is  that  a  more  general  knowledge  of 
its  odious  practices,  which  are  manifold,  shall  be  brought  before 
the  masses,  particularly  that  class  of  hard-working  men,  the 
tillers  of  the  soil,  and  the  growers  of  vegetables,  upon  whom  the 
professional  man  and  the  brawny  mechanic  depend  for  many  of 
the  essential  articles  of  life.  Further,  to  awaken  attention  to 
the  groAving  evil,  in  the  confident  expectation  that  it  may  be  in- 
strumental in  the  adoption  of  practicable  means  for  getting  rid  of 
the  intolerable  nuisance. 

With  the  hope  that  this  little  book  may  accomplish  the  object 
for  which  it  is  designed,  and  be  instrumental  in  the  production 
of  much  invaluable  good,  the  author  sends  it  forth  upon  its  mis- 
sion of  kindness  and  mercy,  with  his  best  wishes  for  its  success. 

THOMAS  G.  GENTRY. 


GERMANTOWN,  Dec.  6,  1877, 
55  Sharpnack  Street. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

INTRODUCTION        ....  9 

The  SPARROW  in  EUROPE       ......  14 

The  SPARROW  in  AMERICA 33 

EVIDENCE,    both     POSITIVE     and     NEGATIVE,    of    the 

SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  in  AMERICA            ...  74 

CONCLUDING  REMARKS 96 

APPENDIX      .  113 


THE  HOUSE   SPARROW. 


INTRODUCTION. 

IN  commencing  the  history  of  the  European  House 
Sparrow,  which  I  have  selected  for  the  title  of  a  work, 
it  cannot  be  considered  out  of  place  to  introduce  the 
subject  by  a  few  remarks  upon  its  position  in  a  system 
of  classification.  "What  I  shall  have  to  say  under  this 
head  will  be  mainly  derived  from  the  investigations  and 
studies  of  Dr.  Coues.  According  to  that  author,  the 
subject  under  consideration  must  be  referred  to 

SUBCLASS  I. — AVES  AEREJE3,  or  Insessores,  Aerial  Birds, 
or  Perchers. 

Of  the  three  primary  divisions  constituting  the  class 
Aves,  the  foregoing  ranks  as  first  in  importance,  and 
highest  in  position.  It  embraces  all  existing  species  of 
birds  down  to  the  Gallince,  or  gallinaceous  birds.  A 
full  definition  of  its  external  characters,  in  a  work  like 
the  present,  would  be  entirely  unnecessary.  Suffice  it  to 
say  that,  with  rare  exceptions,  the  toes  occupy  the  same 
plane,  and  touch  the  same  support  throughout,  thus 
adapting  them  for  grasping,  or  perching.  The  members 
of  this  extensive  group  are  now  generally  placed  \ujive 
orders,  of  which  the  first  is  the 
2 


10  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

ORDER  Passeres.     Perchers  proper. 

The  low  insertion  of  the  hind  toe  and  its  length  ;  its 
great  power  of  opposibility  to  the  front  toes  ;  and  the 
superior  mobility  of  the  same,  which  is  secured  by  the 
separation  of  its  principal  muscle  from  that  which 
flexes  the  other  toes  collectively,  perfectly  adapt  the  feet 
for  grasping.  The  hind  toe  is  always  present,  and  is 
never  directed  anteriorly,  or  laterally.  The  feet  are 
never  zy  god  actyl,esynclactyle,  nor  semipal  mate,  although 
the  anterior  toes,  for  a  part  or  the  entire  length  of  the 
hasal  joints,  are  usually  immovably  joined  to  each  other. 
For  further  particulars,  the  reader  should  examine  some 
standard  work  upon  classification. 

The  species  belonging  to  this  order  are  the  typical 
Insessores,  and  represent  the  highest  grade  of  develop- 
ment, as  well  as  the  most  complex  of  the  class.  They 
possess  high  physical  irritability,  the  result  of  a  rapid 
respiration  and  circulation  ;  of  all  birds,  they  consume 
the  most  oxygen,  and  live  the  fastest. 

The  Passeres  comprise  the  great  majority  of  birds. 
They  are  separated  into  two  groups,  ordinarily  desig- 
nated suborders,  from  the  structure  of  the  inferior  larynx. 
In  one,  this  organ  is  a  complicated  muscular  vocal  appa- 
ratus; while  in  the  other,  it  is  less  developed,  rudimen- 
tary, or  lacking. 

Suborder  OSCINES.     Singing  Birds. 
Tlie  above  constitutes  the  higher  of  the  two  suborders 

O 

previously  referred  to  ;  comprising  species,  which  possess 
a  more  or  less  complicated  vocal  apparatus,  consisting  of 
five  sets  of  muscles ;  but  many  of  them  are  unable  to 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

sing.  Ornithologists  are  not  agreed  as  to  which  of  the 
numerous  Oscine  families  should  occupy  the  head  of  the 
series;  hut  Dr.  Coues  inclines  to  the  opinion  that  some 
member  of  this  family  with  the  possession  of  nine  pri- 
maries— as  the  finches  or  tanagers — will  eventually  as- 
sume the  leading  place.  The  Turdidce,  or  Thrushes, 
in  accordance  with  usage,  occupy  this  position. 

Family  FRINGILLID^E.     Finches,  etc. 

The  FringillidcB  are  the  most  extensive  group  in  orni- 
thology, representing,  in  round  numbers,  500  current 
species  in  about  100  genera.  This  family  represents 
more  particularly  what  used  to  be  designated  "  coniros- 
tral"  birds.  The  bill  of  these  birds  approaches  nearest 
to  the  ideal  cone,  and  unites  great  strength  with  deli- 
cacy of  touch. 

The  cone  is  sometimes  nearly  expressed,  but  fre- 
quently turgid  and  conoidal ;  convex  in  most  directions, 
and  so  constructed  as  to  become  concave  in  some  of  its 
outlines.  The  nostrils  are  usually  exposed,  but  in  many 
northern  genera  the  base  of  the  bill  is  furnished  with  a 
ruff  and  two  tufts  of  antrorse  feathers,  which  more  or 
less  conceal  the  opening ;  the  cutting  edges  of  bill  are 
slightly  notched,  but  otherwise  plain  ;  a  few  inconspicu- 
ous bristles  about  rictus;  ordinarily,  somewhat  lacking  ; 
in  some,  highly  developed.  The  wings  are  composed  of 
nine  developed  primaries,  variable  in  size;  the  tail  is 
variable,  but  always  composed  of  twelve  rectrices  ;  feet 
scutellate  in  front,  and  covered  on  side  with  an  un- 
divided plate,  which  produces  a  sharp  ridge  posteriorly. 

The  most  tangible  character  of  this  group  is  the  an- 
gulation  of  the  commissure  ;   this  character  runs  in  a 


12  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

straight  line,  or  with  slight  curvature  to  or  near  the 
base  of  the  bill,  and  then  bends  abruptly  downward  at 
varying  angles.  The  cutting  edge  of  the  upper  mandible 
forms  a  re-entrance;  lower,  a  corresponding  salience. 
This  character  separates  the  group  pretty  sharply  from 
other  Oscines,  excepting  the  Ictcriidce. 

All  the  species  of  the  United  States  may  be  provision- 
ally separated  into  four  subfamilies,  the  European  house 
sparrow  constituting  a  fifth.  These  are  the  following  : 
Coccothraustince,  Pyrgitince,  Spizellince,  Passer  ellince,  and 
Spizince. 

Subfamily  PYRGITIN^E. 

This  group  is  characterized  by  the  following  particu- 
lars :  bill  robust,  turgid,  and  arched  superiorly,  but  with- 
out distinct  ridge.  The  lower  mandible,  at  the  basal  part, 
is  narrower  than  the  upper.  The  nostrils  are  covered, 
and  the  side  of  the  maxilla  furnished  with  appressed 
bristles.  The  tarsi  are  short,  and  never  exceed  the 
middle  toe  in  length.  The  tail  is  shorter  than  the 
slightly  pointed  wings. 

In  some  respects,  the  PyrgilinM  are  similar  to  the  Coc- 
cothraustince.  In  the  short  tarsi  and  covered  nostrils, 
shorter  and  more  rounded  wings,  and  in  the  presence  of 
stiff  bristles  upon  the  sides  of  the  bill,  they  resemble 
this  group.  But  the  weaker  feet,  larger  and  more 
vaulted  bill,  and  covered  nostrils,  are  characters  which 
distinguish  them  from  the  Spizellince. 

Genus  PYRGITA,  Cuvier. 

Gen.  Char.  Bill  robust,  turgid,  and  devoid  of  distinct 
ridge;  superior  and  inferior  outlines  curved;  margins 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

inflexed ;  palate  vaulted  and  without  knob ;  nostrils 
concealed  by  sparse,  short,  incumbent  feathers;  sides  of 
bill  provided  with  stiff,  appressed  bristles.  Tarsi  short 
and  stout,  and  never  exceeding  middle  toes  ;  claws  short, 
stout,  and  much  curved.  Wings  somewhat  pointed,  and 
longer  than  the  tail,  which  is  nearly  even,  emarginated, 
and  but  moderately  rounded. 

Pyrgita  domestica,  Cuv.     The  House  Sparrow. 

8p.  Char.  Male:  Upper  parts  chestnut-brown;  summit 
of  caput  and  nape,  lower  back,  rump  and  tail  coverts 
cinereous ;  interscapular  feathers,  on  inner  webs,  streaked 
with  black  ;  chin,  throat,  lores,  and  narrow  frontal  line 
black;  residue  of  inferior  parts  grayish,  passing  into 
white  along  the  middle  region.  Behind  the  eye,  run- 
ning into  the  chestnut  of  the  back,  is  a  broad  concolorous 
band  ;  cheeks  and  lateral  walls  of  neck  white.  Exterior 
of  closed  wings  chestnut-brown,  with  the  middle  coverts 
marked  with  a  broad  white  band  ;  lesser  coverts  dark 
chestnut.  Tail  dark  brown,  bordered  with  pale  chest- 
nut. Mandibles  black  ;  feet  reddish  ;  iris  brown. 

Female :  Duller  colored  and  wanting  the  black  of 
throat  and  face.  Cheek  cinereous;  the  eyes  marked 
above  and  posteriorly  by  a  yellow-ochre  band.  A  similar 
colored  band  crosses  the  wings.  Head  and  neck  above 
ashy,  tinged  with  brown  ;  body  superiorly,  reddish  cine- 
reous, with  longitudinal  black  streaks  ;  breast  and  ab- 
domen reddish -ash. 

Length,  6.00  ;  wing,  '2.84;  tail,  2.50;  tarsus,  .70; 
middle  toe  and  claw,  .60. 


14 


CHAPTER  I. 
THE  SPARROW  IN  EUROPE. 

THIS  bird  is  quite  common  over  the  whole  of  the 
United  Kingdom,  including  the  islands  of  Orkney  and 
Shetland.  It  is  also  found  in  Sweden,  Norway,  and 
Denmark;  thence  extending  southward  through  Prus- 

'  O  c_5 

sia,  France,  Spain,  and  Portugal,  to  Northern  Africa, 
and  eastward  to  Italy  and  Dalmatia.  It  is  mostly  re- 
stricted to  the  European  Continent  and  the  adjoining 
islands,  although  specimens  have  been  obtained  from 
Trebizond,  the  Nubian  Mountains,  the  Himalaya  Moun- 
tains, and  other  parts  of  India.  Since  the  colonization 
of  Australia  by  the  English,  these  birds  have  been  intro- 
duced, and  are  increasing  rapidly  in  numbers,  to  the 
great  detriment  of  native  species. 

This  noisy,  familiar,  impatient  bird  is  one  of  those 
creatures  that  manifest  a  close  attachment  to  man,  and 
follows  him  wherever  he  goes.  Nothing  seems  to  daunt 
his  spirit.  In  the  midst  of  the  crowded  and  tumultuous 
city,  among  the  queer  sights  and  noises  of  the  railroad 
station,  and  in  the  more  retired  and  peaceful  shades  of 
the  country  farm,  he  is  equally  at  home.  He  treats 
with  the  same  indifference  the  slow-paced  wagon,  the 
rattling  omnibuses  and  cabs,  and  the  snorting  engines. 

Few  species  are  more  wary.  Various  devices  in  the 
form  of  traps,  etc.,  are  often  used  to  capture  these  birds, 
but  without  much  success.  But  at  nights,  when  they 


THE  SPARROW  IN  EUROPE.  15 

have  repaired  to  their  roosting-quarters  in  hay-stacks 
and  the  common  ivy,  immense  numbers  are  taken  by 
means  of  nets  and  bags  suspended  from  long  poles. 
From  their  bold  and  obtrusive  character,  combined  with 
their  exceedingly  ravenous  appetite,  we  should  naturally 
expect  that  these  birds  would  become  a  ready  prey  to 
the  snares  of  the  fowler.  Perhaps,  their  remarkable 
wariness  may,  in  a  measure,  be  attributed  to  the  whole- 
sale persecutions  which  they  have  met  with  at  the  hands 
of  man  during  the  past. 

Bewick,  in  his  History  of  British  Birds,  in  describing 
the  habits  of  this  species,  says,  "It  does  not,  like  other 
birds,  shelter  itself  in  woods  and  forests,  or  seek  its 
subsistence  in  uninhabited  places,  but  is  a  resident  in 
towns  and  villages;  it  follows  society  and  lives  at  its 
expense;  granaries,  barns,  courtyards,  pigeon-houses, 
and,  in  short,  all  places  where  grain  is  scattered,  are  its 
favorite  resorts." 

According  to  the  Count  de  Buffo n  "it  is  extremely 
destructive,  its  plumage  is  entirely  useless,  its  flesh 
indifferent  food,  its  notes  grating  to  the  ear,  and  its 
familiarity  and  petulance  disgusting." 

Mudie  says  the  sparrows  are  "voracious,  and  withal 
energetic  birds,"  and  "may  be  seen  holding  assemblies 
with  a  deal  of  noise  and  clatter."  Usually  a  dispute  or 
quarrel  seems  to  be  the  cause  of  these  gatherings.  In 
these  troubles,  the  crowd  which  has  been  attracted 
invariabty  assists  the  strongest  party.  White,  in  his 
History  of  Selborne,  briefly  alludes  to  these  convocations, 
and  arrives  at  somewhat  similar  conclusions. 

Yarrell  contributes  his  testimony  to  the  sparrow's 
pugnacity.  After  alluding  to  the  early  mating  of  this 
species,  he  says,  "  Like  most  of  those  birds  which  are 


16  THE    HOUSE    SPAKROW. 

very  prolific,  great  animosity  and  numerous  contests  for 
choice  or  possession  occur  at  this  season  of  the  year." 
In  these  battles,  it  is  said  by  the  above  writer,  "  five  or 
six  individuals  may  be  seen  indiscriminately  engaged, 
attacking,  buffeting,  and  biting  each  other  with  all  the 
clamor  and  fury  of  excited  rage."  These  contests,  after 
continuing  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period  of  time,  are 
eventually  concluded  on  an  amicable  basis,  the  respective 
combatants  retiring  from  the  struggle  to  attend  to  the 
more  essential  business  of  the  season. 

From  the  foregoing  evidence,  it  is  obvious  that  much 
of  the  character  which  the  sparrow  now  possesses,  was 
brought  with  it  from  its  trans- Atlantic  home.  That 

<^> 

this  bird  is  jealous  of  strangers  in  its  own  native  clime, 
and  behaves  with  an  insolent  bearing  towards  them, 
and  even  bullies  its  own  kindred  when  actuated  by 
amatory  influences,  is  too  palpable  to  be  doubted,  or 
gainsaid.  James  Kirk,  Esq.,  of  German  town,  who 
emigrated  to  this  country  several  years  ago,  has  re- 
peatedly called  my  attention  to  the  irritable  nature  and 
pugnacious  disposition  of  these  birds,  and  remarked 
how  alike  is  their  behavior  in  America  as  compared 
with  it  in  England.  Others,  no  less  competent  to  in- 
stitute comparisons,  have  iterated  and  reiterated  similar 
experiences. 

The  general  movements  of  this  species  are  charac- 
terized by  marked  vigilance,  and  a  notable  degree  of 
energy  and  vivacity.  "When  feeding,  these  birds  are 
always  on  the  alert,  and  are  seldom,  if  ever,  taken  by 
surprise.  They  are  mainly  terrestrial,  often  repairing 
to  trees  for  the  purpose  of  resting  and  feeding. 

Its  flight  is  moderately  firm,  tolerably  rapid,  never 
very  high,  and  but  slightly  protracted.  In  the  fall 


THE    SPARROW    IN    EUROPE.  17 

these  birds  become  gregarious,  and  move  in  varying 
flocks  to  their  feeding-grounds,  at  more  than  the  usual 
elevation. 

The  song  of  this  species  is  too  monotonous  and  shrill 
to  afford  gratification.  Its  position,  as  a  member  of  the 
great  Oscine  group  of  Aves,  has  doubtless  been  given, 
not  from  any  special  development  of  musical  ability, 
but  from  the  presence  of  a  singing  apparatus.  According 
to  Macgillivray,  its  ordinary  call  is  expressed  by  the 
dissyllabic  word  phillip  or  yellop. 

Although  its  ordinary  food  consists  of  grain  and 
insects,  which  are  mainly  procurable  in  the  open  country, 
yet  it  readily  accommodates  itself  to  a  town  life,  and  de- 
rives a  subsistence  from  the  refuse  that  is  thrown  out  of 
houses.  Its  appetite  is  so  accommodating  that  there  is 
hardly  any  article  of  human  diet  which  this  bird  will 
refuse.  Fragments  of  potatoes,  the  refuse  of  a  green- 
grocer's shop,  a  dry  crust  of  bread,  and  a  discarded  bone, 
are  equally  attractive.  aThe  market-places,"  according 
to  Rev.  J.  G.  Wood, "  especially  in  those  where  vegetables 
are  sold,  as  Covent  Garden  and  Farringdon  Market,  the 
sparrow  appears  in  great  force,  and  in  no  way  daunted 
by  the  multitudes  of  busy  human  beings  that  traverse 
the  locality,  flutters  about  their  very  feet,  and  feeds 
away  without  displaying  the  least  alarm." 

"In  the  Zoological  Gardens,  and  in  all  large  avaries," 
says  the  same  distinguished  writer,  "  the  sparrow  is 
quite  in  its  element,  pushing  its  way  through  the  meshes 
of  the  wire  roofs  and  fronts,  pecking  at  the  food  supplied 
to  the  birds  within,  and  retreating  through  the  wires  if 

t  o  O 

attacked  by  the  rightful  owners  of  the  plundered  food. 
Even  the  majestic  eagle  is  not  free  from  the  depredations 
of  the  sparrow,  who  hops  through  the  bars  of  the  cage 


18  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

with  great  impudence,  feeds  quite  at  his  leisure  on  the 
scraps  of  meat  that  are  left  by  the  royal  bird,  and, 
within  a  yard  of  the  terrible  beak  and  claws,  splashes 
about  merrily  in  the  eagle's  bath.  The  large  animals 
are  also  favored  by  constant  visits  from  the  sparrows, 
which  hop  about  the  rhinoceros,  the  elephant,  the  hippo- 
potamus, or  the  wild  swine,  with  utter  indifference, 
skipping  about  close  to  their  feet,  and  picking  up  grain 
as  if  they  were  the  owners  of  the  whole  establishment." 

In  rural  districts  the  sparrow  subsists  almost  entirely 
upon  insects  and  grains,  the  former  constituting  a  large 
portion  of  its  diet  in  the  spring  and  early  summer;  and 
the  latter,  during  the  autumnal  and  winter  months.  As 
these  birds  congregate  in  immense  flocks,  and  are  ex- 
ceedingly abundant,  considerable  quantities  of  grain  are 
devoured.  Consequently,  they  are  much  persecuted  by 
the  farmer,  and  their  ranks  continually  decimated  by 
guns,  traps,  nets,  and  other  devices.  Their  services  are 
so  immense  in  the  destruction  of  insects  as  to  render 
them  eminently  useful  to  the  agriculturist.  A  single 
pair  of  these  birds  has  been  known  to  carry  to  its 
young  no  less  than  forty  grubs  per  hour,  making  an 
aggregate  of  about  three  thousand  for  the  week.  In 
every  instance  where  the  sparrows  have  been  extermi- 
nated, there  has  been  noticeable  a  proportional  decrease 
in  the  crops  from  the  depredations  of  insects.  At  Maine, 
for  example,  an  entire  destruction  of  these  birds  was 
authorized  by  law,  and  the  result  was  that  during  the 
following  year  even  the  green  trees  were  killed  by 
caterpillars.  A  similar  edict  was  proclaimed  by  the 
government  at  Auxerre,  and  like  results  followed. 

In  the  fall,  in  addition  to  grain,  various  seeds,  such 


THE    SPARROW    IN    EUROPE.  19 

as  the  sow-thistle,  groundsel,  a-nd  the  dandelion,  which 
are  classed  among  useless  weeds,  are  eaten  with  avidity. 
The  common  white  butterfly,  whose  larvae  are  so  noxious 
to  the  cabbage  and  other  garden  plants,  is  chased  and 
killed  in  vast  numbers.  While  feeding,  these  birds 
delight  in  company,  and  bands  of  variable  numbers 
may  be  observed  "all  fluttering,  and  chirping, and  peck- 
ing, and  scolding,  and  occasionally  fighting  with  amusing 
pertness." 

A  little  incident  of  Mr.  Wood's  boyhood  days  is 
deserving  of  mention.  So  closely  do  these  birds  cluster, 
that  the  latter,  when  a  boy,  often  amused  himself  by 
shooting  them  with  sixpenny  toy  cannons,  after  attract- 
ing them  to  a  small  heap  of  oats  which  he  had  purposely 
thrown  upon  the  stable  floor ;  by  thrusting  the  muzzles 
of  his  miniature  guns  through  holes  bored  into  the  door, 
he  was  able  to  accomplish  a  due  amount  of  destruction. 

That  the  sparrow,  even  in  Europe,  is  destructive  to 
crops,  is  proved  by  the  concurrent  testimony  of  nume- 
rous writers.  Mr.  William  Thompson,  the  author  of 
"  The  Natural  History  of  Ireland,"  says,  in  volume  I.  of 
that  work, — 

u  In  our  garden,  these  birds  were  for  a  number  of 
years  very  destructive  to  young  peas,  almost  living  upon 
and  amongst  them,  perching  on  the  pea-rod,  and  with 
their  strong  bills  breaking  through  the  pods  to  get  at 
the  peas,  which  they  ate  just  when  in  perfection  for  the 
table. 

"The  proprietor  of  the  nearest  fields  of  grain  to  Bel- 
fast, in  one  direction  (about  a  mile  distant),  complains 
loudly  against  hosts  of  town  sparrows  attacking  his 
ripening  crops.  They  go  there  early  in  the  morning, 


20  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

and  after  satisfying  their  appetites  at  his  expense,  return 
to  spend  the  day  in  town." 

Selby,  in  the  first  volume  of  his  work  on  British  Orni- 
thology, cites  that  it  is  reckoned  by  Low  among  the 
feathered  denizens  of  the  northern  islands  of  Scotland, 
where  it  greatly  annoys  the  agriculturist  in  the  serious 
depredations  which  it  commits  upon  bigg,  a  coarse 
variet}^  of  barley,  the  only  grain  that  is  grown  to  any 
extent  in  those  remote  settlements. 

Mudie  affirms  that  they  commit  some  mischief  upon 
small  seeds  when  sown,  upon  patches  of  grain  when  first 
ripe,  in  the  vicinity  of  villages  and  towns,  and  also,  at 
certain  seasons,  upon  the  buds  of  shrubs  and  trees. 

Yarrell  says,  "When  summer  advances,  and  the  young 
birds  of  the  year  are  able  to  follow  the  old  ones,  they 
become  gregarious,  flying  in  flocks  together  to  the 
nearest  field  of  wheat,  as  soon  as  the  corn  is  sufficiently 
hardened  to  enable  them  to  pick  it  out,  and  here  for  a 
time  they  are  in  good  quarters ;  but  when  the  corn  is 
housed,  and  their  supply  cut  off,  they  seek  the  adven- 
titious meal  which  human  habitations  afford." 

Sonini,  in  Dictionnaire  d'Histoire  !Naturelle,  published 
in  1817,  says,  "Sparrows  are  impudent  parasites,  living 
only  in  society  with  man,  and  dividing  with  him  his 
grain,  his  fruit,  and  his  home  ;  they  attack  the  first  fruit 
that  ripens,  the  grain  as  it  approaches  maturity,  and 
even  that  which  has  been  stored  in  granaries.  Some 
writers  have  wrongly  supposed  that  the  insects  destroyed 
by  them  compensated  for  their  ravages  on  grain ;  eighty- 
two  grains  of  wheat  were  crowded  in  the  craw  of  a 
sparrow  that  had  been  shot  by  the  writer,  and  Eougier 
de  la  Bergerie,  to  whom  we  owe  excellent  memoirs  on 


THE    SPARROW    IN    EUROPE.  21 

rural  economy,  estimates  that  the  sparrows  of  France 
consume  annually  ten  million  bushels  of  wheat." 

Jardine  says  that  a  price  is  set  on  their  heads  on  ac- 
count of  the  depredations  which  they  commit  upon 
grains  and  garden  seeds. 

Valmont  de  Bomare,  in  his  Dictionary,  published  in 
1791,  says,  "In  Brandebourg,  in  order  to  diminish  the 
ravages  committed  by  sparrows,  a  price  is  set  on  their 
heads,  and  the  peasants  are  compelled  by  law  to  bring 
in  a  certain  number  yearly  ;  in  each  village  there  are 
sparrow-hunters,  who  sell  their  birds  to  the  peasants,  to 
enable  them  to  pay  their  tribute.  The  bird  is  bold, 
cunning,  and  quick  in  discerning  snares  or  devices  to 
frighten  them  ;  it  breeds  three  times  a  year,  feeding  its 
young  with  inserts,  and  especially  bees,  though  its 
principal  food  consists  of  grain.  It  follows  the  farmer 
while  sowing,  harvesting,  threshing,  or  in  feeding  his 
poultry  ;  it  enters  the  dovecot,  and  with  its  bill  pierces 
the  throats  of  young  pigeons  to  obtain  the  grain  in  their 
craw." 

That  the  sparrow's  destructive  propensities  are  well 
known  in  England,  is  attested  to  by  Oowper's  lines: — 

"The  sparrows  peep,  and  quit  the  sheltering  eaves 
To  seize  the  fair  occasion  ;  well  they  eye 
The  scattered  grain,  and  thievishly  resolved 
To  escape  the  impending  famine,  often  scared, 
As  oft  return,  a  pert,  voracious  bird." 

The  following  remarks,  which  are  reproduced  from 
the  Bulletin  of  the  French  Acclimatization  Society,  con- 
cerning the  "  ravages  committed  by  the  Sparrows  in 
Algeria,"  are  taken  from  "  The  American  Cultivator" 
for  August  25,  1877.  The  writer  says,  "Wherever 
there  are  woods  or  plantations  of  trees,  there  the  spar- 


22  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

rows  assemble  in  incredible  numbers.  One  writer  goes 
so  far  as  to  deplore  the  introduction  of  gum-trees,  be- 
cause they  harbor  the  sparrows,  and  it  is  difficult  to 
dislodge  their  nests  from  these  slender,  lofty  trees. 

"  It  is  stated  that  on  one  estate  alone,  200  acres  of  rye 
were  so  completely  devoured  by  the  sparrows  before  it 
was  ripe,  that  not  a  single  corn  was  harvested;  and  it 
was  calculated  that  in  a  neighboring  wood,  some  150 
acres  ia  extent,  there  were  284,000  nests.  One  colonist 
complained  that  the  sparrows  had  carried  away  two 
tons  of  his  hay  ;  and  from  the  average  weight  of  the 
nests  weighed,  it  was  estimated  that  ten  tons  of  hay 
were  carried  away  to  construct  these  284,000  nests. 
Further,  it  is  stated  that  this  same  wood,  which  consists 
mainly  of  the  Aleppo  pine,  is  annually  infested  with 
caterpillars  to  such  an  extent  that  it  is  dangerous  to  go 
through  it  in  the  months  of  March  and  April,  because 
the  pine  caterpillar  is  venomous.  It  seerns  that  the 
sparrow,  in  Algeria  at  least,  prefers  grain  to  insect  food." 

A  few  thoughts  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Knapp,  in  Gas- 
sell's  Popular  Natural  History,  conduct  to  the  same  in- 
ference. After  expatiating  briefly  upon  the  friendly 
and  sociable  disposition  of  these  birds  among  themselves, 
and  their  peculiarlove  for  human  society,  he  says,  '-'The 
sparrow  feeds  on  his  (man's)  food,  rice,  potatoes,  and 
almost  any  other  extraneous  substance  he  may  find  in 
the  street ;  looks  to  him  for  his  support,  and  is  main- 
tained almost  entirely  by  the  industry  and  providence 
of  man." 

He  who  has  been  a  constant  reader  of  Nature,  an 
English  weekly  devoted  to  science,for  several  years  past, 
cannot  have  escaped  the  conclusion  that  the  sparrow  is 
destructive  to  blossoms.  Thomas  Comber,  of  Newton  le 


THE    SPARROW    IN   EUROPE.  23 

"Willows,  England,  in  the  issue  of  the  above  journal  for 
May  10,  1877,  substantially  states  that  the  sparrows  do 
not  attack  the  crocuses  grown  in  his  garden,  but  in 
that  of  a  friend,  living  some  miles  away,  their  attacks 
are  exclusively  confined  to  the  yellow  ones,  the  purple 
variety  escaping.  He  accounts  for  this  preference  on 
the  supposition  that  the  purple  flowers  possess  some 
acrid  or  bitter  property  which  renders  them  nauseous. 

W.  Yon  Freeden,  of  Hamburg,  editor  of  the  Hansa, 
in  a  communication  to  Nature  for  May  17,  1877,  which 
is  translated,  says,  "  I  have  observed  here  that  sparrows 
have  shown  a  very  considerable  partiality  for  crocuses 
during  this  spring.  My  neighbor  and  I  vied  with  each 
other  in  our  spring  beds  ;  he  excelled  in  yellow  crocuses 
and  hyacinths,  ,1  in  white  arid  blue  crocuses.  One 
beautiful  Sunday  the  whole  of  his  crocuses  were  found 
bitten  and  torn  by  sparrows,  and  what  is  noteworthy, 
also  some  yellow  crocuses  which  had  somehow  wandered 
into  my  lot,  while  the  blue  and  white  remained  un- 
touched." Should  this  be  regarded  as  an  oversight,  or 
was  it  a  matter  of  taste?  To  offer  a  satisfactory  ex- 
planation to  this  peculiar  predilection  of  the  sparrow, 
may  not  be  classed  among  the  impossibilities.  Perhaps 
a  dry  spring,  the  color  sense  of  the  species,  or  even  a 
more  or  less  delicate  mixture  of  the  plant-sap,  may  ac- 
count for  it. 

Corroborative  of  the  last  writer's  observations  appears 
in  the  issue  of  the  same  journal,  dated  May  31,  the  same 
year,  a  communication  from  an  anonymous  writer.  He 
says,  "  I  have  for  many  years  been  a  cultivator  of  the 
crocus,  yellow,  white,  and  purple ;  this  spring  they 
flowered  abundantly,  the  white  and  purple  blooming 
undisturbed,  the  yellow  picked  and  torn." 


24  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

Another  individual,  writing  from  Gray's  Inn,  attests 
to  the  foregoing  assertions,  but  attributes  these  on- 
slaughts to  the  town  bird.  The  London  bloom  is 
specially  attractive  to  the  London  sparrow,  while  in 
gardens  remote  from  London,  and  surrounding  it,  plenty 
of  yellow  crocuses  bloom,  and  are  undisturbed.  Accord- 
ing to  another  writer,  the  leaves  of  the  bird-cherry  are 
eagerly  attacked  by  the  caterpillar  of  the  pale-spotted 
ermine  moth,  during  certain  summers,  to  such  an  extent 
that  the  trees  become  ugly  and  stripped  of  their  foliage 
by  the  middle,  or  end  of  July.  Although  the  appetite 
of  the  sparrow  can  accommodate  itself  to  nearly  all 
kinds  of  food,  yet  it  cannot  be  denied  that  it  is,  betimes, 
quite  capricious.  In  autumn,  the  Guelder-rose,  which 
adorns  the  English  thicket  with  its  beautiful  red  berries, 
presents  an  attractive  and  tempting  sight,  but  birds  seem 
to  care  very  little  for  such  fruit.  Evidence,  quite  cumu- 
lative in  its  character,  could,  be  adduced  to  sustain  the 
preceding  statements,  but  enough  has  been  given  to 
prove  the  sparrow's  destructive  propensities.  The  bulk 
of  testimony  bearing  upon  this  matter,  which  has  ap- 
peared in  Nature  for  many  years  past,  points  the  same 
way. 

If  these  birds  are  not  destructive  in  a  high  degree, 
why  begrudge  them  the  grain  which  they  pilfer?  Why 
should  the  English  peasant  lad  be  employed,  at  a  mere 
pittance,  from  early  morning  until  the  sun  has  gone 
down,  armed  with  his  clappers,  to  frighten  away  these 
greedy  pilferers  from  the  ruddy  grain  ?  Even  before  the 
days  of  "Little  Boy  Blue,"  of  famous  memory,  down 
to  the  present  time,  have  the  same  watchfulness  and  care 
been  bestowed  upon  the  fields  of  ripened  grain,  to  guard 
them  against  their  attacks. 


THE   SPABROW    IN   EUROPE.  25 

Notwithstanding  the  injuries  which  are  perpetrated 
upon  crops  and  blossoms,  which  scarcely  a  writer  will 
deny,  does  the  good  which  these  birds  accomplish  in  the 
destruction  of  injurious  insects  amply  compensate  for 
the  losses  sustained  ?  Let  us  see  what  evidence  can  he 
produced  in  justification  of  the  sparrow. 

Bewick  remarks,  as  early  as  1805,  "In  the  destruction 
of  caterpillars  they  are  eminently  serviceable  to  vegeta- 
tion, and  in  this  respect  alone,  there  is  reason  to  suppose, 
sufficiently  repay  the  destruction  they  may  make  in  the 
produce  of  the  garden  or  the  field." 

Selby,  who  writes  in  1833,  says,  "  This  bird  feeds  upon 
all  kinds  of  grain  and  seeds,  and,  in  the  summer,  destroys 
vast  numbers  of  larvae,  moths,  and  butterflies,  with  which 
its  young  are  principally  fed  ;  thus  making  ample  com- 
pensation for  the  havoc  it  commits  in  the  ripening  fields 
of  corn." 

Mudie,  in  1834,  after  briefly  alluding  to  the  destructive 
habits  of  the  sparrow,  affirms,  "Upon  the  whole,  they 
do  much  more  good  by  the  numbers  of  insects  and  cater- 
pillars which  they  destroy.  It  is  the  house  fly,  as  well 
as  the  thatch,  and  the  eaves  and  holes  in  the  roof,  that 
bring  them  so  much  about  dwellings ;  and  in  the  con- 
sumption of  these,  as  well  as  of  crumbs  and  other  refuse, 
they  are  most  notable  and  indefatigable  scavengers. 
But  for  them,  the  house  flies  would,  in  some  situations, 
multiply  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  intolerable;  and  were 
they  not  so  incessant  in  their  destruction  of  those  pro- 
lific pests,  the  cabbage  butterflies,  it  is  doubtful  whether 
one  plant  of  the  tribe  could  be  reared  in  the  market 
gardens." 

The  same  writer  asserts  that,  in  France,  in  1841,  in 
the  fine  district  of  Burgundy,  situated  south  of  Auxerre, 
3 


26  THE   HOUSE   SPARROW. 

so  much  damage  was  done  to  crops  from  the  extraordi- 
nary increase  of  caterpillars,  resulting  from  the  conse- 
quent destruction  of  small  birds,  that  a  law  was  passed 
prohibiting  any  further  sacrifice  of  these  creatures. 

Macgillivray,  in  his  History  of  British  Birds,  both  In- 
digenous and  Migratory,  which  was  published  in  1837, 
after  referring  to  its  devastation  upon  wheat,  which  is 
very  perceptible  in  localities  not  remote  from  towns,  as 
evidenced  by  the  numerous  earless  stalks  which  are 
noticeable,  and  its  fondness  for  the  seeds  of  Sinapis  ar- 
vcnsis,c\wrloc\t,12((phanus  Raphanistuvn^  chickweeds  and 
mouse  ears,  Stellaria  Cerastium,  and  field  and  garden 
peas,  says,  "In  summer  it  subsists  partly  on  insects  of 
various  kinds,  which  also  afford  the  chief  nourishment 
of  its  young." 

Yarrell,  writing  in  1843,  says,  "The  young  are  fed  for 
a  time  with  soft  fruits,  young  vegetables,  and  insects, 
particularly  caterpillars,  and  so  great  is  the  number  of 
these  that  are  consumed  by  the  parent  birds,  and  their 
successive  broods  of  young,  that  it  is  a  question  whether 
the  benefit  thus  performed  is  not  a  fair  equivalent  for 
the  grain  and  seeds  required  at  other  seasons  of  the  year." 

William  Thompson,  Esq.,  bears  testimony  in  his  Xatu- 
ral  History  of  Ireland,  which  was  published  in  1849,  to 
the  good  which  these  birds  accomplish  in  the  destruction 
of  the  large  w7hite  garden  butterfly  (Pontia  brassiccc), 
whose  caterpillars  are  so  injurious. 

Dr.  Brewer,  in  Forest  and  Stream,  for  June,  1877, 
says,  "  Ever  since  the  commission,  appointed  by  Louis 
Napoleon,  at  the  head  of  which  was  that  eminent  savan, 
Florent  Prevost,  reported  that  the  sparrow  was  par  emi- 
nence the  most  useful  to  agriculture  of  all  the  birds  of 
Europe,  the  sparrow  has  been  protected  by  law,  and  the 


THE  SPARROW  IN  EUROPE.  27 

children  in  all  the  public  schools  of  France,  by  order  of 
the  Department  of  Public  Instruction,  are  taught  the 
value  of  all  birds,  the  sparrow  not  excepted."  The 
doctor's  authority  for  the  above  statement  is  the  Hon. 
M.  Servaux,  who  is  head  director  of  that  department. 

Other  authorities  could  be  quoted  to  show  the  good 
and  evil  results  which  are  produced  by  the  sparrow  in 
its  native  country,  but  the  writer  is  obliged  to- refer  his 
readers  to  the  bibliography  of  the  subject  which  will  be 
appended  to  this  monograph.  That  immense  good  is 
accomplished  in  Europe  by  the  services  of  these  birds, 
must  be  admitted,  if  the  testimonies  adduced  are  worth 
anything.  But  it  is  greatly  to  be  desired  that  a  more 
complete  inventory  of  the  insects  destroyed,  than  any 
hitherto  published,  should  be  given  to  the  world.  The 
mere  assertion  of  the  fact,  which  is  all  that  we  have  to 
rely  upon,  in  many  instances,  amounts  to  little  in  the 
writer's  estimation.  Xo  work,  with  a  single  exception, 
has  treated  this  subject  as  it  deserves. 

The  sparrow  is  not  one  of  the  earliest  risers  among 
birds,  but  is  certainly  as  wakeful  as  any  of  them.  It 
begins  to  chatter  with  the  dawn,  and  keeps  up  an  ani- 
mated conversation  for  an  hour  before  forsaking;  its 

O 

roost.  Even  before  retiring  for  the  night,  its  disagree- 
able chatter  is  heard  to  the  annoyance  of  its  human 
neighbors,  for  a  similar  period  of  time.  As  early  as  ten 
minutes  before  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  this  noise 
has  been  heard. 

The  nest  of  the  sparrow  is  a  very  inartificial  structure. 
It  is  composed  of  straw,  hay,  leaves,  and  other  similar 
materials,  externally ;  and  is  lined  with  a  profusion  of 
feathers.  Although  an  exceedingly  hardy  bird,  caring 
little  for  snow  or  frost,  yet,  nevertheless,  it  likes  a  warm 


28  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

bed  to  which  it  can  retire  when  the  arduous  labors  of 
the  day  are  past.  For  this  purpose,  its  resting  place  is 
crammed  with  feathers,  which  it  procures  from  divers 
sources.  Even  their  roosting  quarters  are  similarly  fur- 
nished. In  the  selection  of  a  locality,  these  birds  are 
by  no  means  particular.  Their  nests  have  been  dis- 
covered under  the  eaves  of  tiles,  in  creviced  walls,  in 
decayed  trees,  and  even  in  the  orifices  of  old  water- 
pipes;  in  short,  wTherever  the  necessary  materials  can  be 
accumulated.  Walls  overgrown  with  ivy  are  favorite 
places  of  resort,  both  for  building  and  roosting  purposes. 
The  immense  numbers  of  nests  which  are  built  under 
the  nests  of  the  larger  birds  in  a  rookery  can  only  be 
imagined  by  those  who  have  witnessed  such  places. 

Sometimes,  but  rarely,  these  birds  take  to  trees.  The 
higher  branches  of  the  apple  and  plum  are  ordinarily 
chosen,  but,  when  any  other  tree  is  selected,  which  is 
occasionally  clone,  it  is  never  situated  very  far  from  an 
occupied  human  dwelling.  In  such  situations,  the 
structure  is  invariably  domed,  and  is  provided  with  an 
entrance  in  the  side.  Externally,  it  is  composed  of  a 
profusion  of  hay;  and  is  lined  with  a  dense  mass  of 
feathers.  It  is  a  large  and  rather  clumsy  affair. 

~Not  unlike  other  familiar  birds,  the  sparrow  is  some- 
what capricious  in  its  choice  of  locality.  Several  ex- 
amples are  upon  record  of  nests  being  placed  on  different 
parts  of  a  ship's  rigging.  For  example,  while  the  Great 
Britain  was  lying  in  the  Sandom  graving-dock,  two 
nests  were  constructed  by  certain  sparrows  in  the  "  bunts" 
of  the  main  and  mizzen  topsails.  Mr.  Thompson  cites 
the  case  of  a  nest  which  was  placed  upon  the  furled  sail 
of  the  Aurora,  of  Belfast.  This  nest,  which  remained 
intact  during  the  first  voyage  of  that  vessel  to  Glasgow, 


THE    SPARROW    IN    EUROPE.  29 

was  loosened  during  the  second  trip,  and  both  it  and 
the  eggs  which  it  contained,  were  destroyed.  Again,  a 
pair  of  sparrows  nidificated  underneath  the  slings  of  the 
foreyard  of  the  ship  Ann  of  Shields,  just  preparatory  to 
leaving  port.  When  the  vessel  reached  its  destined  port 
upon  the  Tyne,  the  birds  went  ashore,  and  shortly  re- 
turned with  materials  with  which  to  finish  their  homes. 
The  chief  external  ornament  of  the  Rotunda,  in 
Dublin,  is  a  superbly  carved  frieze.  It  represents  the 
heads  of  oxen,  and  is  beautifully  festooned  with  flowers, 
which  are  pendant  from  the  horns.  The  frieze  encircles 
the  entire  building  at  a  considerable  elevation.  In  the 
hollow  of  the  eye  of  one  of  these  heads,  a  sparrow  placed 
its  nest.  Among  other  materials  which  the  bird  had 

O 

utilized  for  this  purpose,  was  a  woollen  thread  with  a 
noose  at  one  extremity  ;  by  some  strange  accident,  wholly 
inexplicable,  the  little  creature  got  the  noose  around  his 
neck,  and  in  his  desperate  exertions  to  release  himself 
from  the  unhappy  situation,  dropped  from  his  nest,  and 
hung  suspended  below.  The  most  prodigious  efforts 
were  made  to  escape  the  threatened  death,  but  in  vain. 
Unhappily  his  remains  were  gibbeted  at  his  own  door, 
and  were  to  be  seen  swaying  to  and  fro  in  the  gentlest 
breeze,  while  the  straws  of  his  nest  protruded  from  the 
eye-hole  right  over  his  head. 

Mr.  Thompson  asserts  that,  in  country  places,  this 
species  usually  places  its  nests  in  spouts,  and  thus  stops 
the  course  of  the  rain,  causing  the  house  to  be  overflowed. 
When  ejected  from  such  places,  it  is  said  to  resort  to  the 
branches  of  the  balm  of  Grilead  and  the  spruce,  which 
it  prefers  to  deciduous  trees.  According  to  the  same 
authority,  it  often  builds  in  rookeries;  occasionally  takes 
possession  of  the  nest  of  the  house  martin,  which  is 


30  THE    HOUSE   SPARROW. 

general!}7  tenantless  at  the  time,  and  as  frequently  usurps 
the  burrow  of  the  sand  martin,  before  the  vernal  return 
of  this  species  to  the  home  of  its  nativity. 

Mr.  G-ould,  in  writing  about  this  bold  and  fearless 
little  creature,  confirms  much  of  what  the  previous  writer 
has  expressed. 

He  says,  "It  is  not  a  little  annoying  to  watch  closely 
the  ways  and  doings  of  our  constant  attendant,  the 
sparrow,  who,  as  if  presuming  upon  our  friendship,  sets 
no  bounds  to  his  impudence  towards  his  feathered 
brethren,  and  with  great  effrontery,  frequently  seizes 
upon  the  hole  selected  by  the  starling  when  absent  from 
its  nest,  and  continues  to  hold  possession  until  the  star- 
ling, losing  all  patience,  takes  him  by  the  neck,  and 
with  main  force  draws  him  from  the  hole.  This  little 
altercation  ended,  and  the  stronger  bird  in  possession, 
matters  grow  more  amicable.  It  not  unfrequently 
happens  that  the  fairy  martin,  which  constructs  her 
nest  under  the  eaves  of  our  houses,  has  scarcely  finished 
her  labors  ere  the  sparrow  seizes  on  the  building.  The 
martin  is  said  to  revenge  itself  upon  the  intruder  in  a 
curious  way.  To  fight  so  powerful  a  bird  would  answer 
no  end,  she  therefore  plasters  up  the  entrance  to  the 
nest  with  mud,  and  keeps  him  a  prisoner." 

The  sparrow  is  quite  prolific,  and  raises  several  broods 
in  a  single  season.  It  has  been  known  to  rear  no  less 
than  fourteen  young  during  that  period.  It  is  a  very 
affectionate  parent,  and  is  not  uncommonly  observed  in 
the  midst  of  crowded  streets  feeding  its  young,  which, 
while  sitting  upon  the  ground,  manifest  their  hungry 
eagerness,  by  the  manner  in  which  they  open  their  bills 
and  flap  their  wings. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  usually  five  in  number, 


THE    SPARROW    IN    EUROPE.  31 

although  six  sometimes  constitutes  a  nest  full.  They 
are  grayish-white  in  ground-color,  and  profusely  covered 
with  spots  and  dashes  of  gray-brown.  They  vary,  how- 
ever, in  markings,  and  it  is  quite  common  to  find  i"n 
the  same  nest  eggs  that  are  nearly  black  with  the 
mottlings,  and  others  with  few  if  any  spots  or  stripes 
at  all. 

The  young,  according  to  Macgillivray,  in  progressing 
towards  maturity,  pass  through  the  following  stages: 
"At  first  moult,  completed  by  beginning  of  winter, 
males  assume  colors  of  adult  birds,  although  it  is  not 
until  next  season  that  they  are  perfected  ;  females  also 
acquire  deeper  tints.  In  the  second  plumage  the  male 
is  as  follows:  Upper  mandible  light  grayish-brown, 
lower  flesh  colored  with  tip  brown  ;  feet  pale  brown, 
upper  part  of  head  brownish-gray ;  preocular  space 
blackish-gray  ;  line  over  the  eye  extending  down  neck, 
yellowish-gray  mixed  with  chestnut-brown;  some 
lateral  feathers  of  neck  little  chestnut  near  tip;  auricu- 
lar coverts  greenish-gray ;  forepart  of  neck,  breast, 
abdomen,  light  yellowish-gray,  fading  posteriorly  into 
white ;  a  broad  band  down  foreneck  from  mandible  ob- 
scurely black,  that  color  being  concealed  by  whitish 
tips  of  feathers.  Anterior  dorsal  and  scapular  feathers 
light  yellowish-brown,  their  inner  web  brownish-black 
at  tip ;  posterior  dorsal  and  upper  tail  coverts  light 
greenish-gray  ;  lower  tail  coverts  light  yellowish-gray. 
Tail  wood-brown,  margined  with  gray  ;  smaller  wing 
coverts  light  brown,  with  little  chestnut  near  tips; 
quills  dusky  externally,  margined  with  yellowish-brown  ; 
primary  coverts  the  same ;  secondary  coverts  with  a 
broader  external  margin  of  yellowish-brown  ;  the  first 
row  of  small  coverts  tipped  with  paler  yellowish-brown. 


32  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

As  the  bird  becomes  older,  its  colors  assume  a  richer 
tint,  until  the  wings  and  hack  become  bright  chestnut, 
and  bar  in  former  is  pure  white." 

In  view  of  the  astonishing  increase  of  this  species  in 
Europe,  are  there  no  checks  thereto,  in  the  shape  of 
natural  enemies?  The  last-mentioned  writer,  in  his 
history  of  this  bird,  says  in  England  they  are  preyed 
upon  by  the  merlin,  sparrow  hawk,  and  weasel,  and 
perhaps  by  other  quadrupeds,  as  well  as  by  boys,  cock- 
ney sportsmen,  and  field  naturalists.  The  mode  of 
capture  employed  by  boys  is  thus  described.  For  this 
purpose  a  trap  is  constructed  in  this  wise:  two  bricks 
are  placed  parallel  to  each  other,  while  a  third  is  laid 
across  one  of  their  extremities  ;  another  brick,  or  a  piece 
of  board  or  slab,  is  placed  between  the  parallel  bricks, 
and  supported  by  the  aid  of  a  vertical  stick,  the  lower 
extremity  of  which  reposes  upon  the  edge  of  a  brick 
arranged  transversely.  The  trap  being  prepared,  is 
then  baited  with  oatmeal,  bread,  or  other  edible  sub- 
stances. In  attempting  to  get  the  bread,  the  prop  be- 
comes removed,  the  lid  falls,  and  the  sparrow  remains  a 
prisoner. 

Immense  numbers  are  also  captured  at  night,  while 
perching  among  the  ivy,  their  favorite  roosting  quarter, 
by  means  of  a  net  manufactured  for  that  express  pur- 
pose. 


33 


CHAPTER  II. 
THE  SPARROW  IN  AMERICA. 

Tins  species,  which  was  introduced  into  several  por- 
tions of  our  country  a  few  years  ago,  has  increased  so 
rapidly  in  numbers  that  it  is  now  accounted  one  of 
our  most  familiar  denizens.  Before  another  decade  has 
passed,  unless  measures  are  taken  to  check  its  wonderful 
diffusion,  the  result  of  its  rapid  propagation,  it  will  be 
safe  to  predict  a  general  overflow  of  the  entire  country. 

The  earliest  attempt  to  introduce  these  birds  was  ap- 
parently made  in  the  autumn  of  1858,  by  Deblois,  in 
Portland,  Maine.  To  the  number  of  six  they  were  let 
loose  in  a  large  garden  near  the  centre  of  the  city.  The 
following  winter  was  spent  in  the  immediate  locality, 
shelter  from  the  inclement  weather  being  obtained 
underneath  the  porch  of  a  neighboring  church.  In  the 
spring  of  1859  three  nests  were  built,  in  only  one  of 
which  the  parents  were  successful  in  rearing  a  family. 
Two  broods  consisting  of  ten  young  birds  resulted  from 
this  union.  The  birds  continued  to  multiply,  and  ulti- 
mately became  so  numerous,  that  as  early  as  the  winter 
of  1871  they  reached  the  town  of  Rockland  of  the  same 
State. 

In  1860  Eugene  Schieffelin,  of  New  York,  imported 
twelve  of  these  birds,  and  set  them  at  liberty  in  the 
vicinity  of  Madison  Square  in  that  city.  Several  years 
in  succession  the  experiment  was  repeated.  In  1864 


34:  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

fourteen  birds  were  released  in  Central  Park  by  the 
Commissioners.  Others  were  subsequently  brought  from 
England  by  different  individuals,  and  set  free  at  Jersey 
City.  The  latter  have  since  multiplied  so  rapidly  that 
their  offspring  have  spread  to  adjoining  towns,  and  are 
now  social  residents  in  all  the  large  cities  and  towns 
around  New  York,  as  well  as  in  every  portion  of  that 
great  metropolis  itself. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  1868  that  the  sparrow  was 
introduced  into  Boston.  Two  hundred  birds  were  then 
purchased  in  Germany,  by  the  city  government,  but 
only  about  twenty  reached  their  destination.  These 
were  released  in  the  month  of  June,  but,  unfortunately, 
several  died  from  disease,  or  from  weakness  induced  by 
sea- voyage ;  the  remnant  disappeared.  In  the  ensuing 
summer  others  were  brought  over,  only  ten  of  which 
survived.  The  survivors  were  carefully  housed  and 
nourished,  and  only  restored  to  freedom  when  in  ex- 
cellent condition.  Released  from  confinement,  they 
quickly  flew  away,  and  nothing  was  seen  of  them  for 
several  months,  when,  unhappily,  they  turned  up  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  city,  whither  they  had  betaken 
themselves.  In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  stables,  for 
which  they  apparently  manifested  a  preference,  they 
built  their  houses  and  reared  their  families.  There 
the}7  remained  until  the  approach  of  winter,  when  they 
returned  to  the  city  to  the  number  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  where  they  were  regularly  fed  by  the  city-forester 
each  day  in  the  Deer  Park.  At  night  they  roosted  in 
the  thatched  roofs  of  the  buildings. 

Near  the  close  of  the  winter  of  1869  these  birds  were 
brought  to  Philadelphia.  To  John  Bardsley,  Esq.,  of 
Germantown,  belongs  the  credit  of  their  introduction. 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  35 

For  many  years  our  lawn  and  shade  trees  liad  been  in- 
fested by  measuring  worms,  much  to  the  annoyance  of 
pedestrians.  Nothing  could  be  done  to  remedy  the 
matter.  The  nuisance  became  yearly  worse  and  worse. 
The  good  effects  of  the  sparrows,  in  other  cities,  in  rid- 
ding the  squares  and  parks  of  insect-pests,  were  too  well 
known  through  the  public  papers  to  allow  of  much 
hesitation  upon  the  part  of  the  people.  Councils 
were  petitioned  for  relief.  For  many  long  months  the 
question  was  agitated,  but  seemingly  with  little  hope  of 
a  speedy  settlement,  At  this  crisis  Mr.  Bardsley  was 
projecting  a  visit  to  his  native  land.  Sympathizing  witli 
his  city  brethren,  preparatory  to  starting  upon  his 
journey  he  sought  an  interview  with  leading  council- 
men  in  relation  to  bringing  over  a  goodly  number  of 
birds  on  his  return.  Nothing  satisfactory  was  elicited. 
Having  completed  his  arrangements,  Mr.  Bardsley  sailed 
for  England,  determining,  should  he  reach  home,  to  col- 
lect a  thousand  or  two  of  birds  at  his  own  expense,  and 
present  them  to  the  city  of  his  adoption.  In  due  season 
he  reached  Ash  ton,  his  native  town,  and  had  actually 
commenced  work  when  he  received  the  startling  yet 
doubtless  joyful  intelligence  that  the  sparrow  difficulty 
had  been  settled  by  Councils,  and  he  was  the  city's 
authorized  agent.  With  his  characteristic  zeal  and 
energy  Mr.  Bardsley  applied  himself  vigorously  to  the 
task,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  several  lads,  succeeded 
in  obtaining,  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  more  than  a 
thousand  birds.  Having  secured  his  cargo,  and  every- 
thing being  in  readiness,  he  sailed  from  Liverpool,  and 
after  many  trials  and  a  few  vicissitudes  of  fortune, 
reached  Philadelphia  early  in  March.  His  numerous 
and  troublesome  charges  were  at  once  surrendered  to 


36  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

the  authorities.  Owing  to  the  inclemency  of  the  season 
they  were  comfortably  quartered,  and  provided  with 
every  needful  attention.  In  the  latter  part  of  April, 
the  weather  becoming  mild,  they  were  released  from 
their  long  confinement,  to  fly  whither  they  chose.  In 
the  best  of  condition,  the  result  of  the  attention  and 
care  bestowed  upon  them  since  their  arrival,  and  eman- 
cipated at  a  period  when  nature  was  buoyant  with  life, 
and  all  aglow  with  beauty  and  song,  there  could  be  no 
obstacle  to  their  easy  acclimatization,  and  consequent 
multiplication  and  diffusion. 

Later,  these  birds  were  introduced  into  Utah,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  where  they  have  become 
quite  common  ;  and  still  later  in  Indianapolis,  la.,  where 
they  have  grown  to  be  so  troublesome  that  the  inhabi- 
tants would  gladly  get  rid  of  them  at  almost  any  cost. 
An  effort  is  now  being  made  to  introduce  them  into 
North  Carolina,  under  the  fancied  belief  that  they  will 
prove  highly  beneficial  in  the  destruction  of  noxious  in- 
sects, but  I  hope  that  it  will  not  succeed.  The  agent  for 
their  introduction  has  lately  become  convinced  of  their 
utter  worthlessness,  and  has  so  informed  his  friends. 

Few  species  of  birds  display  less  suspicion,  greater 
caution,  and  more  pugnacity,  than  the  subject  of  our 
sketch.  It  delights  to  dwell  in  close  proximity  to  human 
dwellings,  and  apparently  affects  a  fondness  for  man's 
society.  While  thus  manifesting  considerable  confidence 
in  man,  as  shown  by  its  familiar  manners,  it,  however, 
possesses  so  many  unenviable  traits  as  not  to  merit  the 
full  measure  of  his  esteem  and  approbation.  The  inso- 
lence of  its  deportment,  sneaking,  thievish  propensities, 
and  above  all,  its  pugnacity,  rapacity,  and  destructive- 
ness,  render  it  an  object  of  profound  contempt. 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  37 

Its  pugnacity,  the  certain  outgrowth  of  an  extremely 
jealous  and  irritable  nature,  manifests  itself  in  various 
ways.  By  a  limited  few,  it  is  alleged  that  this  feeling 
is  confined  to  the  males,  and  only  exhibited  among 
themselves  when  actuated  by  amatory  influences.  This 
is  a  gross  mistake.  It  is  manifested  at  all  times,  and  is 
as  conspicuous  among  the  females  as  among  their  more 
powerful  lords.  It  is  chiefly  during  the  breeding-period 
that  these  contentions  occur  among  themselves.  Terri- 
torial possession  is  the  casus  belli.  Males  and  females 
mingle  promiscuously,  and  it  is  quite  difficult  to  deter- 
mine which  of  the  sexes  displays  the  greater  valor.  The 
struggle  frequently  commences  between  a  pair,  of  males, 
and  assumes  gigantic  proportions.  The  females  at  first 
stand  aloof,  maintain  almost  perfect  silence,  and  only 
enter  the  arena  when  the  conflict  seems  utterly  hope- 
less on  one  side  or  the  other.  The  loud  clamors  and 
menacing  gestures  of  the  belligerents  soon  attract  their 
feathered  brethren,  who  enter  the  lists,  and  at  once 
take  part  with  one  or  the  other  of  the  contending  fac- 
tions. These  struggles  often  continue  for  nearly  a  half 
hour  unless  stopped  by  human  interference,  and  break 
up  as  quickly  and  as  mysteriously  as  they  are  precipi- 
tated. A  careful  study  of  the  manoeuvres  of  the  opposing 
parties  have  convinced  me  that  a  very  close  kinship 
subsists  among  the  individuals  of  each  side. 

These  quarrels  occur  less  frequently,  however,  during 
the  feeding  process,  and  are  not  restricted  to  any  par- 
ticular season.  When  there  is  a  rich  supply  of  appro- 
priate food-stuffs  hundreds  of  birds  may  be  seen  feeding 
together,  and  the  utmost  harmony  and  good-will  be 
observable.  But  let  there  be  a  paucity  of  regimen,  and 
the  birds  are  not  slow  to  perceive  the  fact,  the  spirit  of 


38  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

greed  is  soon  in  the  ascendant,  and  a  quarrel  ensues. 
The  same  unhappy  condition  of  affairs  occurs  when  a 
pair  of  birds  or  a  family  group  has  most  fortunately 
come  across  an  article  of  luxury,  and  is  disturbed  by  the 
approach  of  strangers  who  endeavor  to  wrest  from  them 
the  much  coveted  booty. 

But  it  is  not  so  much  on  account  of  these  family  diffi- 
culties that  our  repugnance  to  the  sparrow  arises.  Do 
not  our  native  species,  in  many  instances,  have  their 
domestic  infelicities,  less  bitter  and  less  lasting  though 
they  be?  It  is  mainly  owing  to  its  domineering  and 
insolent  bearing  towards  the  latter  that  we  detest  the 
sparrow7.  AVho  has  not  witnessed  frequent  manifesta- 
tions of  the  hostile  conduct  of  this  foreigner?  In  the 
spring,  when  our  migrants  return  from  their  winter 
homes  to  the  scenes  of  conjugal  bliss  and  domestic  feli- 
city, they  are  received  by  these  strangers  with  the  most 
perfect  coolness  and  stolid  apathy.  Should  they  ven- 
ture to  take  up  their  quarters  in  places  rendered  sacred 
and  dear  by  the  associations  of  the  past,  they  are  instantly 
beset  and  driven  aw7ay.  Their  former  territory  has  been 
taken  possession  of,  and  they  must  look  elsewhere.  A 
near  approach  to  accustomed  haunts  is  sure  to  be  found 
out,  and  instant  vengeance  wreaked  upon  their  te- 
merity. These  birds  lay  claims  to  occupied  spots,  and 
prepare  to  defend  them  at  all  hazards.  What  individual 
courage  cannot  accomplish  is  effected  by  stratagem,  or 
by  combination.  Many  of  our  most  useful  birds  are 
ohjects  of  these  unmerited  assaults,  and  unable  to  cope 
with  prodigious  numbers  are  compelled  to  forsake  ac- 
customed sites  for  less  congenial  places.  The  lawns  and 
groves  which  surround  the  residences  of  opulence,  that 
once  rang  with  the  merry  notes  of  the  robin  and  song 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  39 

sparrow,  now  resound  with  the  disagreeable  noise  of  this 
sparrow. 

The  extraordinary  salacity  of  these  birds,  which  is 
almost  as  conspicuous  a  feature  of  their  existence  during 
cold  weather  as  during  the  season  of  breeding,  begets, 

O  C*  *  O  * 

beyond  the  shadow  of  a  doubt,  a  feeling  of  jealousy 
which  graduates  into  one  of  intense  hatred  towards  other 
species  should  they  venture  within  forbidden  grounds, 
and  even  shows  itself  in  a  much  lighter  form  towards 
their  fellow-companions.  As  a  consequence  of  this  ab- 
normal sexual  condition,  the  desire  to  nidificate  com- 
mences remarkably  early,  and  continues  rather  late, 
often  lasting  from  February  to  November. 

Having  dwelt  upon  the  sparrow's  treatment  of  other 
species,  at  considerable  length,  it  becomes  necessary  to 
inquire  whether  our  native  birds  do  not  occasionally 
manifest  a  little  of  the  spirit  of  pugnacity  towards  the 
foreign  invader.  To  do  otherwise  would  seem  unnatural. 
Birds,  like  their  human  brethren,  become  strongly  at- 
tached to  the  homes  of  their  nativity,  and  show  a  will- 
ingness and  readiness  to  protect  them  against  assault. 

O  J-  *— 5 

Among  many  species  there  is  apparent  a  friendly  and 
neighborly  feeling,  which  tolerates  others  within  their 
territories.  Instances  of  the  existence  of  this  noble  trait 
are  not  wanting.  The  robin,  song  and  chipping  sparrow, 
have  been  known  to  fraternize  with  other  species,  and 
to  live  upon  the  most  amicable  terms  with  them.  The 
same  good  and  kindly  feeling  would  be  shown  towards 
the  sparrow,  were  there  a  disposition  to  reciprocate  it. 
I  have  observed  such  a  disposition  upon  the  part  of  the 
song  sparrow,  and  its  very  near  relative,  the  hair  bird, 
on  scores  of  occasions,  but  there  has  always  been  mani- 
fest a  want  of  inclination  upon  the  part  of  the  house 


40  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

sparrow  to  notice  these  friendly  advances,  or  a  tendency 
to  repel  them  most  unceremoniously  and  ungenerously. 

Cruel  as  is  the  treatment  which  our  smaller  birds  re- 
ceive from  the  stranger,  when  they  have  returned,  after 
a  brief  sojourn  abroad,  to  the  land  of  their  birth,  they 
bear  it  quite  patiently  and  nobly,  and  only  venture  to 
resent  the  insults  which  are  heaped  upon  them  when 
forbearance  ceases  to  be  a  virtue.  To  witness  this  usur- 
pation of  rightful  territory  and  the  insolent  bearing  of 
the  marauder,  is  certainly  very  provoking,  and  to  the 
robin,  whose  ideas  of  honor  and  right  are  very  exalted, 
must  be  considered  a  just  cause  for  war.  It  is  not  sur- 
prising then  that  this  "  bouncer  of  the  sod"  should  wage 
persistent  warfare  upon  the  enemy,  on  each  annual  re- 
turn, but  to  be  ingloriously  defeated.  The  bluebird,  a 
very  obstinate  little  fellow,  to  be  sure,  has  learned  from 
experience  the  folly  of  contending  against  superior 
numbers,  and,  consequently,  leaves  the  sparrow  in  un- 
disputed possession  of  subjugated  territory.  In  past 
years  I  have  seen  this  bird  contend  with  the  sparrow 
for  the  possession  of  a  tree-cavity,  or  a  box,  with  a 
courage  which  was  truly  commendable  and  astonishing, 
but  to  no  use. 

In  not  a  single  case  have  I  known  either  the  robin  or 

O 

the  bluebird  to  come  off  victors  in  these  encounters. 
In  a  single-handed  struggle  I  would  have  but  little  fears 
for  them.  While  this  has  been  the  experience  of  com- 
petent observers  in  other  cities,  also,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  but  that  the  sparrows  are  sometimes  beaten  and 
driven  away,  the  conquerors  remaining  masters  of  the 
situation.  The  experience  of  Dr.  Brewer,  of  Boston, 
confirms  this  suspicion.  When  told  by  Mr.  Galvin,  the 
city-forester  of  Boston,  that  the  bluebird  assails  the 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  41 

sparrow,  and  expels  it  from  its  home,  the  doctor  sud- 
denly remembers  that,  in  various  instances,  throughout 
his  experience,  the  former  is  always  the  aggressor. 

Mr.  Galvin  affirms  substantially  that  our  native  birds 
have  nothing  to  fear  from  the  sparrow.  Not  the  least 
animosity  is  manifested  towards  either  the  robin  or  the 
bluebird.  The  little  chipping  sparrow  is  its  friend,  and 
is  often  found  feeding  with  it  upon  the  same  bit  of 
bread.  Bluebirds,  which  were  wanting  on  the  Common 
before  the  introduction  of  the  sparrows,  are  now  quite 
plentiful.  The  martins,  attracted  by  the  number  of 
boxes,  have  wonderfully  increased.  These  two  species 
we  are  informed  are  the  inveterate  enemies  of  the  spar- 
rows, treating  them  badly,  seizing  their  boxes,  and 
breaking  up  their  nests.  These  indignities,  it  is  natural 
to  be  supposed,  would  be  resented  ;  but  in  the  contest 
which  is  provoked,  we  are  told  that  the  bluebirds  "are 
always  too  strong  for  them."  Evidence  is  not  wanting 
to  show  that  the  reverse  of  this  is  equally  true.  In  the 
proper  place  the  testimony  both  pro  and  con  will  be  set 
forth. 

The  impudence  of  the  sparrow  has  certainly  not  es- 
caped notice.  For  boldness,  this  species  of  avis  has  no 
parallel.  The  crow  is  a  paragon  of  excellence  when 
brought  into  contrast.  While  the  fowls  are  being  fed, 
flocks  of  fifty,  and  even  more,  assemble  in  the  poultry- 
yard,  and  wilfully  defraud  the  occupants  of  their  due 
allowances.  When  detected  and  driven  away,  I  will 
not  say  frightened  away,  for  they  are  strangers  to  fear, 
they  repair  to  a  short  distance,  alight  upon  any  neigh- 
boring object,  and,  as  if  to  show  their  utter  disgust  and 
indignation,  break  forth  in  a  full  chorus  of  loud  and 
uncouth  vociferations.  With  eyes  intently  fixed  upon 
4 


42  THE   HOUSE   SPARROW. 

the  much  coveted  fare,  they  hide  their  time,  although 
rather  impatiently,  and  when  the  disturber  of  their  meal 
has  turned  his  back  and  is  out  of  sight,  repair  with  all 
possible  speed  to  the  feeding  ground,  and  there  gorge 
themselves  to  satiety.  All  the  while  they  are  thus  oc- 
cupied, they  do  not  permit  themselves  to  be  surprised; 
for,  with  half-averted  look,  the  stealthiest  approach  is 
noticed,  and  the  flock  is  off  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 
In  this  respect,  there  is  a  manifest  difference  between 
this  species  and  others  which  relax  this  general  vigilance 
by  appointing  a  few  individuals  to  act  as  guards. 

The  chickens  evidently  do  not  entertain  the  highest 
feelings  of  regard  for  these  gamins,  as  shown  by  the 
tierce  attacks  which  they  make  upon  them  whenever 
they  insinuate  themselves  into  their  presence.  These 
assaults  subserve  but  a  temporary  purpose,  for  the  spar- 
rows hop  carelessly  aside,  or  fly  to  a  short  distance  when 
vigorously  pressed,  and  subsequently  resume  their  labors 
as  though  nothing  had  happened.  Instances  have  oc- 
curred, in  the  writer's  experience,  of  this  boldness  being 
carried  to  extremes.  A  case  in  point  I  will  now  pro- 
ceed to  mention. 

In  the  summer  of  1877  I  raised  several  broods  of 
chicks,  which  it  was  the  custom  to  feed  at  six  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  and  at  the  same  time  at  the  close  of  the 
day.  While  thus  occupied,  the  sparrows,  as  if  by  a  sort 
of  intuition,  would  come  in  vast  numbers,  and  very 
contentedly  perch  upon  the  adjoining  trees,  preparatory 
to  making  a  meal  of  Indian  corn.  Their  approach  was 
quite  silent,  only  a  few  coming  together.  Sometimes 
their  presence  was  unknown  and  unobserved,  so  quietly 
did  they  deport  themselves.  But  when  the  person, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  attend  to  this  business,  would  dis- 


THE    SPARROW   IN    AMERICA.  48 

appear  from  the  scene,  the  ground  would  soon  be  covered 
by  birds,  some  of  which  would  enter  the  coops,  taking 
due  care,  however,  to  avoid  the  bill  of  the  enraged  hen 

Jealousy  is  certainly  the  vera  causa  of  the  sparrow's 
irritability  and  pugnacity.     This  feeling  is  so  deeply  in- 
grained into  its  very  being  that  the  slightest  cause  will 
evoke  it.      The  presence  of  a  stranger  bird  when  the 
feeding  process  is  going  on,  is  enough  to  arouse  sus- 
picion and  lead    to    trouble.      Perhaps  jealousy  is  the 
natural  outgrowth  of  long-continued  exertions  for  main- 
tenance in  the  "struggle  for  existence."    The  wonderful 
salacity  of  this  species,  and   its  remarkable  powers  of 
reproduction,  lend  countenance  to  this  belief.     A  species 
that  breeds  freely,  and  multiplies  rapidly,  must  doubtless 
perish,  where  bounteous  provisions  for  its  subsistence 
are  not  made  in  the  wise  economy  of  nature.     Particu- 
larly will  this  be  found  to  be  the  case  in  regions  in  which 
the  natural  harmony  of  things  is  spoiled  by  man's  short- 
sightedness and  stupidity.      Either  nature  must  most 
miraculously  increase  her  supply  to  satisfy  the  growipg 
demand,  or  else  a  long  and  bitter  struggle  for  supremacy 
will  inevitably  ensue,  the  weaker  go  to   the  wall,  or 
be  compelled  to  migrate  to  other  quarters.     Thus  will  • 
be  engendered  a  feeling  of  jealousy,  if  not  of  intense 
hatred,  upon  the  part  of  the  stronger  against  the  weaker, 
which  will  manifest  itself  in  bitter  persecutions  and  life- 
long quarrels.     Just  such  a  situation  of  things  as  I  have 
depicted,  must  be  patent  to  all  who  are  not  blinded  by 
prejudice,  if  they  will  but  use  their  powers  aright. 

In  by-gone  years,  many  of  our  smaller  winter  denizens 
were  daily  to  be  seen  in  our  gardens  and  on  our  lawns. 
Who  does  not  recollect  the  pleasure  and  joy  which  their 
presence  afforded  ?  The  song  sparrow,  tree  sparrow,  and 


44  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

even  the  active  little  black-capped  titmouse,  would  hop 
about  the  door,  and,  by  their  well-known  calls,  solicit, 
as  it  were,  the  refuse  of  the  kitchen.  Upon  the  summit 
of  a  bush  or  a  tree,  or  perched  upon  the  fence,  they 
would  patiently  wait  until  the  poultry  had  been  fed  and 
had  retired,  when  they  would  gladly  descend  to  the  yard, 
and  thankfully  receive  what  their  stronger  brethren  had 
left.  But  now  the  grounds  are  thoroughly  policed  by  the 
sparrows,  and  our  native  birds  compelled  to  keep  at  a 
wary  distance,  or  only  venture  to  peck  a  few  grains 
during  the  temporary  absence  of  their  masters.  During 
the  prevalence  of  cold  weather,  the  sparrows  are  a  con- 
stant source  of  annoyance  by  their  presence  and  noise, 
save  when  they  retire  to  their  roosting-quarters,  at  the 
close  of  the  day.  But  with  the  rising  sun,  and,  in  some 
instances,  long  before  his  slanting  rays  are  seen  in  the 
east,  they  are  on  hand,  ready  to  seize,  with  their  charac- 
teristic avidity,  whatever  comes  in  sight.  The  strictest 
vigilance  is  necessary  to  prevent  their  wanton  pillages. 

In  the  spring,  save  during  the  season  of  harvest  and 
fruitage,  their  attentions  are  somewhat  intermitted. 
The  duties  of  nidification,  incubation,  and  brood-raising 
demand  a  considerable  share  of  attention.  Hence  their 
presence,  except  during  the  mornings  and  evenings,  is 
notably  scarce.  While  they  take  their  breakfast  and 
supper  upon  the  writer's  premises,  their  homes  are  else- 
where. The  lack  of  suitable  accommodations  is  mainly 
the  cause  of  this  seeming  preference.  A  near  neighbor 
having  erected  comfortable  houses  for  them,  we  are  thus 
saved  much  annoyance. 

It  is  only  during  their  absence,  consequent  upon  the 
discharge  of  home  duties,  that  a  few  of  our  native  birds 
pay  us  a  slight  call,  occasionally.  It  is  during  these  visits, 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  45 

as  if  reluctant  to  desert  entirely  the  scenes  of  past  asso- 
ciations, that  a  few  are  seized  with  an  irresistible  desire 
to  build.  While  some  are  most  summarily  frustrated  in 
any  such  endeavor,  others  are  not  wanting  that  meet 
with  a  due  degree  of  success.  I  cannot  forbear  to  mention 
in  this  connection  an  incident  which  happened  during 
the  month  of  June,  1877.  A  pair  of  robins  visited 
my  lawn,  emboldened  by  the  absence  of  the  enemy  ; 
and,  being  lured  by  the  aspect  of  the  scenery,  they  al- 
most instantly  set  to  work  to  build  themselves  a  home. 
The  summit  of  a  tall  and  rather  dense  maple  afforded  a 
suitable  and  retired  site.  Their  advent  was  unobserved. 
The  almost  perfect  silence  which  they  maintained  whilst 
engaged  in  its  construction  was  truly  wonderful.  Even 
the  keen  and  vigilant  gaze  of  the  sparrow  was  eluded. 
The  nesting-tree  occupied  the  centre  of  a  grass-plot,  and 
stood  but  fifteen  feet  from  my  doorstep.  Troops  of  noisy 
children  whiled  away  their  merry  moments  beneath  its 
sheltering  boughs,  without  so  much  as  disturbing  the 
busy  workers,  or  catching  a  glimpse  of  their  quite  fa- 
miliar forms.  The  chosen  site  was  doubtless  the  inevi- 
table result  of  mature  reflection,  for,  at  this  point,  a 
cherry  tree  blended  its  dark  green  foliage  with  that  of 
the  red  maple.  So  thickly  and  intricately  were  the 
leaves  and  branches  interlaced,  that  the  most  acute 
vision  could  not  pierce  the  almost  impenetrable  net- 
work. Thus  concealed,  the  nest  would  have  remained 
unknown,  had  not  a  most  curious  circumstance  revealed 
its  presence.  The  robins  could  have  entered  the  nest  and 
retired  therefrom  as  often  as  they  chose  without  being 
perceived  by  human  or  feathered  enemies,  so  artfully 
was  it  hidden,  and  so  favorably  situated  was  the  tree. 
But  this  fancied  security  was  destined  to  be  of  short 


46  THE    HOUSE   SPARROW. 

continuance.  My  son,  a  lad  of  twelve  years,  was  the 
first  to  call  attention  to  its  existence.  The  discovery 
was  wholly  accidental.  In  the  exercise  of  his  scanso- 
rial  powers,  a  failing  to  which  the  generality  of  lads 
is  prone,  he  unexpectedly  fell  upon  the  structure.  At 
this  time  it  contained  but  three  eggs  which  were 
slightly  altered.  From  some  strange  and  mysterious 
cause,  the  sparrows,  seemingly,  had  not  observed  this 
trespass  upon  their  grounds,  my  son's  discovery  ante- 
dating theirs  by  a  couple  of  days.  On  reflection,  the 
circumstance  does  not  seem  so  mysterious  after  all.  To 
reach  the  poultry-yard  unobserved  by  their  human  per- 
secutors, they  were  compelled  to  make  a  circuitous 
journey;  by  so  doing,  they  avoided  altogether  the  tree 
which  supported  the  robin's  nest.  These  raids  upon 
the  poultry -yard  were  always  made  in  the  morning  and 
evening.  The  robins  were  doubtless  apprised  of  the 
fact,  and  shaped  their  actions  accordingly.  During  the 
intervening  time  less  caution  was  necessary,  as  the 
visits  of  the  sparrows  were  quite  infrequent. 

The  cherry  tree  had  now  begun  to  ripen  its  fruits. 
The  sparrows  were  not  slow  in  making  the  discovery. 
From  the  poultry -yard  fence  the  tempting  cherry  could 
be  easily  seen  as  it  dangled  from  its  flexible  stem.  The 
keen  eye  of  the  robin  discerned  it  in  the  near  distance. 
The  temptation  was  not  to  be  resisted.  They  sallied 
out  of  their  well-hidden  retreat  to  taste  the  luscious 
fruit,  but,  alas!  they  were  espied  by  the  sparrows,  who 
had  already  taken  possession  of  the  trees,  in  vast  numbers. 
They  were  instantly  assailed  and  driven  from  the  neigh- 
borhood. Four  times  in  succession  they  labored  to  regain 
possession,  but  without  avail.  Defeated  and  disheart- 
ened, they  removed  to  more  congenial  quarters,  leaving 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  47 

their  borne  and  its  treasures  to  the  cruel  mercies  of  a 
relentless  foe.  On  revisiting  the  nest  two  days  subse- 
quently, the  eggs  were  gone.  They  had  either  been 
spirited  away  by  the  authors,  or  destroyed  by  the 
enemy. 

A  better  example  of  the  sparrow's  pugnacity  and 
vengeful  spirit  than  the  preceding,  could  certainly  not 
be  given.  "Were  these  its  only  faults  we  might  chari- 
tably hide  them  from  view,  and  extend  to  these  ex- 
tremely familiar  creatures  a  most  generous  welcome. 
But  their  excessively  rapacious  and  vigorous  appetites 
lead  them  into  wrong  doings.  Being  omnivorous  birds, 
they  do  not  carefully  discriminate  between  the  culti- 
vated varities  of  our  fruits,  and  their  wild,  untamed 
prototypes;  and  between  the  seeds  of  gramineous  plants 
growing  wild,  and  our  cultivated  cereals.  Their  destruc- 
tive propensities,  though  well  attested,  are  not  as  fully 
appreciated  by  the  popular  mind  as  they  should  be. 
Agriculturists  and  small  fruit  growers  will  do  well  to 
master  the  details  of  their  history,  and  accord  to  them 
the  welcome  which  their  merits,  rather  their  demerits, 
amply  deserve. 

'Tis  true  this  species  has  received  most  flattering 
encomiums  from  casual  observers,  but  the  writer  cer- 
tainly cannot  bear  the  best  of  testimony  to  its  useful- 
ness. As  it  is  not  as  destructive  to  noxious  insects  as 
many  of  our  smaller  native  birds,  its  presence  seems 
unnecessary.  During  the  breeding-period,  I  admit, 
many  caterpillars  are  destroyed  and  fed  to  the  young, 
but  even  this  good  is  more  than  outweighed  by  the 
mischief  which  is  committed. 

Its  indubitable  hatred  of  native  species  ;  the  depreda- 
tions which  are  perpetrated  upon  the  tender  buds  of 


48  THE    HOUSE   SPARROW. 

herbaceous  plants,  shrubs,  and  trees ;  the  wholesale  de- 
struction of  the  blossoms  of  the  apple,  pear,  and  cherry, 
and  the  fruits  of  the  same ;  the  wanton  devastations 
which  are  committed  upon  the  vines  when  the  grapes 
are  mellowing,  are  powerful  incentives  for  those  who 
have  suffered  from  their  ravages  to  urge  the  authorities 
to  colonize  and  send  them  back  to  England  where  the 
peasantry  are  paid  for  potting  them  into  sparrow  pies. 
They  are  always  feeding,  but  unlike  most  species,  grow 
corpulent  upon  what  they  pilfer,  and  thus  set  the  un- 
wholesome example  of  consuming  what  they  do  not 
earn. 

The  food  of  this  species  is  both  vegetal  and  animal 
in  character,  but  chiefly  the  former.  Latterly,  fewer 
insects  are  destroyed  than  formerly.  This  is  readily 
accounted  for.  JS"ow,  in  many  of  our  large  towns  and 
cities,  these  birds  are  so  \vell  fed  and  pampered  that  they 
are  either  too  lazy  to  hunt  caterpillars,  or  else  the  pres- 
ence of  better  and  more  nutritious  food  has  created  in 
them  a  disgust,  or  rather  disrelish,  for  insect-diet.  In 
rural  localities,  the  abundance  of  plant-life  in  divers 
forms  constitutes  a  rich  field  for  the  display  of  their 
granivorous  and  frugivorous  propensities. 

It  is  ghastly  rubbish  to  pretend,  as  a  special  few  seem 
to  do,  that  the  ridding  of  our  trees  of  caterpillars  and 
hemiptera  can  be  intrusted  to  the  sparrows.  Almost 
any  bird,  from  an  ostrich  to  a  humming-bird,  may  or 
does  eat,  insects.  This  diet  is  not  restricted  to  the 
technically  designated  insectivorous  birds.  In  the 
general  scheme  of  nature,  insects  and  birds  are  natural 
complements,  the  one  balancing  the  other.  Sparrows 
certainly  do  not  come  under  this  category.  They  are  a 
conirostral  and  granivorous  species,  and  take  to  insect 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  49 

fare  just  as  a  hawk,  a  crow,  a  grakle,  or  any  of  our 
native  finches. 

During  the  cold  weather  these  birds  derive  a  rather 
precarious  subsistence  from  the  seeds  of  our  commonest 
weeds  and  grasses.  They  assemble  about  our  doors  for 
the  crumbs  and  scraps  from  the  table.  Throughout  the 
different  seasons,  and  in  all  places,  hundreds  of  them 
may  be  seen  upon  our  principal  thoroughfares,  scratching 
among  the  excrement  of  horses  for  whatever  of  nutrient 
qualities  may  be  found  therein. 

Their  winter  fare  consists  of  the  seeds  of  Chcnopodium 
album,  Amarantus  hylridus,  A.  cdbus,  A.  paniculatus, 
Ramex  sanguineus,  Ambrosia  artemisicefolia,  and  besides 
those  of  the  different  asters  and  solidagos. 

When  balmy  spring  has  melted  the  icy  fetters  of 
winter,  and  started  the  sap  through  its  accustomed 
channels,  the  sparrows,  active  and  hardy  creatures 
though  they  are,  become  endowed  with  new  vigor, 
sally  out  from  their  winter  retreats  while  plant  life  is 
budding  into  bloom,  and  wantonly  destroy  without 
stint  or  pity. 

In  the  months  of  April  and  May,  they  enter  our 
lawns  and  indiscriminately  attack  whatever  of  vegeta- 
tion is  coming  into  existence.  The  maples,  particularly 
Acer  rubrum  and  A.  Saccliarinum,  are  rifled  of  their 
blossoms.  The  kitchen-garden  does  not  escape  their 
visits.  The  cherry,  and  the  various  species  of  Pyrus 
and  Prunus,  are  devastated  for  the  ripened  stamens  and 
immature  ovaries.  Many  of  our  herbaceous  plants  are 
bitten  before  they  have  attained  to  the  height  of  a  few 
inches  above  the  ground.  In  the  floral  stage,  primroses 
and  others,  are  hopelessly  ruined.  The  grape-vines  are 
attacked,  and  the  blossoms  pillaged.  Later,  during  the 


50  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

middle  of  June,  when  the  cherry  has  ripened  its  fruit, 
the  destruction  is  immense.  Scarcely  a  tree  escapes. 
The  fruit  is  seldom  eaten  in  its  entirety,  but  bitten  in 
several  places,  thus  causing  premature  decay.  Several 
trees  that  I  examined,  which  wrere  literally  crowded 
with  fruit,  did  not  reveal  a  single  untouched  cherry 
One  small  branch,  containing  a  hundred  cherries,  had 
every  one  bitten ;  some  in  a  semi-rotten  condition,  in 
consequence.  The  so-called  honey  cherry  has  the  great- 
est attraction,  and  the  common  black  cherry  the  least, 
showing  that  the  species  is  somewhat  fastidious  in  its 
appetite,  notwithstanding  its  decided  penchant  for  horse- 
dung.  But  is  there  no  way  of  preventing  this  destruc- 
tion ?  I  apprehend  not.  The  scarecrow  is  of  little 
avail.  Even  the  report  of  a  gnn  creates  but  a  momen- 
tary alarm ;  for  the  very  next  moment  the  birds  are 
back,  feeding  as  vigorously  as  before,  as  though  nothing 
had  happened.  For  man,  creation's  lord,  they  have  but 
little  fear  or  respect.  I  have  known  instances  where 
they  would  enter  a  tree,  alight  within  a  few  feet  of  a 
person,  and  feed  away  as  though  they  were  not  cogni- 
zant of  bis  presence,  all  the  while  keeping  a  wide 
lookout  for  dangers.  The  American  sparrow  is  a  fond 
lover  of  the  juicy  cherry,  and  destroys  many  when 
allowed  to  visit  the  trees  unmolested.  He  is  charac- 
terized by  greater  boldness  than  his  European  kin, 
who  is  desperately  afraid  of  man,  his  inveterate  perse- 
cutor. It  had  been  hoped  that  the  strawberry  would 
have  remained  unmolested.  But  no;  this  most  luscious 
berry  must  share  a  similar  fate.  During  the  past  season, 
a  friend  of  the  writer's,  living  in  Germantown,  was  sur- 
prised to  find  that  the  sparrows  wrere  at  work  upon  his 
neighbor's  strawberry  patch.  As  soon  as  the  fruit  had 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  51 

turned,  it  was  plucked  and  eaten  upon  the  spot,  or  borne 
in  triumph  to  the  nest,  a  box  upon  the  premises  (a  poor 
compensation  for  hospitality  shown).  To  prevent  these 
ravages  the  gentleman  was  compelled  to  cover  the  bed, 
which  was  a  small  one,  with  netting  stretched  upon 
small  upright  stakes. 

The  cultivated  raspberry  is  also  esteemed  a  great 
luxury.  During  the  prevalence  of  the  season,  from 
the  middle  of  June  until  about  the  middle  of  July,  the 
sparrows  are  constant  visitors  to  the  bushes.  The  red 
variety  is  greatly  to  be  preferred  to  any  other.  The 
black  variety  is  the  least  attractive.  It  is  probable  that 
the  fruits  of  the  high  and  low  blackberries  are  occasion- 
ally eaten,  although  not  to  any  great  extent.  I  have 
seen  birds  upon  these  bushes  acting  very  mysteriously. 
A  subsequent  examination  showed  that  the  berries  had 
been  pecked.  The  pea-vines  receive  their  share  of 
attention  also.  But  it  is  only  when  the  pods  have 
appeared  and  become  partially  swollen  out  with  the 
developing  peas.  When  the  latter  have  attained  one- 
fourth,  and  even  one-half,  their  natural  size,  they  are 
most  prized.  They  are  secured  by  the  separation  of 
the  valves  of  the  pod  by  the  bill  of  the  bird.  The 
destruction  which  these  birds  commit  upon  the  pea  is 
nothing  when  compared  with  that  wliicli  they  perpe- 
trate upon  grain  fields.  The  growing  head  is  often 
attacked,  and  the  soft  and  milky  grain  extracted  from 
the  glume.  But  it  is  mainly  after  the  head  has  ripened, 
and  is  reposing  upon  the  field  preparatory  to  being 
carried  to  the  barn  for  shelter,  that  this  destruction  is 
most  complete.  Many  a  grain  is  then  pulled  from  its 
hiding-place  and  passed  into  the  stomachs  of  these  birds, 
or  scattered  irrecoverably  upon  the  ground.  In  the 


52  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

summer  of  1877  immense  flocks  of  these  birds,  num- 
bering from  a  hundred  to  five  hundred,  were  observed 
two  miles  to  the  southwest  of  Chestnut  Hill,  a  suburb 
of  Philadelphia,  in  the  midst  of  a  large  field  of  cradled 
grain.  They  were  vigorously  at  work,  and,  contrary  to 
what  is  usual,  so  intently  bent  upon  their  task  as  not  to 
notice  the  writer  and  two  friends,  until  we  were  within 
a  few  feet  of  them.  Then,  all  of  a  sudden,  they  rose  up, 
but  to  re-alight  a  few  seconds  afterwards,  within  fifty 
yards  of  their  former  place.  To  assert  that  these  flocks 
would  destro}T  and  waste  at  least  twenty-five  bushels, 
in  less  than  half  a  day,  would  not  be  beyond  the  range 
of  possibility.  Other  fields  were  witnessed  during  the 
summer,  undergoing  similar  depredations,. on  quite  as 
extensive  a  scale;  so  that  the  mischief  done  during  a 
single  season,  in  a  limited  area,  can  hardly  be  estimated. 

In  addition  to  the  above  articles,  the  seeds  of  some 
cruciferous  and  coinpositaceous  plants  are  also  eaten. 
After  the  soil  has  been  loosened  in  early  spring,  and 
sown,  these  birds  assemble  upon  the  newly  raked  ground, 
and  in  an  incredibly  short  time  gather  up  the  scattered 
seeds,  leaving  but  few  to  germinate.  Those  of  the 
garden  lettuce  (Lactuca  saliva)^  radish  (JRaphanus  sa- 
tivus),  cabbage  (Brassica  oleracea),  are  principally  desired. 
When  these  plants  have  matured  their  seeds,  their  dried 
heads  and  pods  are  visited.  The  seeds  of  the  dandelion, 
and  our  common  thistles,  are  torn  from  their  receptacles, 
and  devoured  at  the  appropriate  seasons. 

During  the  autumnal  months,  when  the  grapes  are 
beginning  to  mellow,  these  birds  are  on  hand.  In  some 
localities  the  bunches  are  so  horribly  mutilated  as  to 
be  of  no  use.  They  attack  the  grape  in  the  same 
manner  as  they  do  the  cherry.  Few  of  our  cultivated 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  53 

varieties  escape.  The  small  winter  grape  (Vttis  cordi- 
folia),  on  account  of  its  peculiar  flavor  and  small  pulp, 
is  never  attacked,  although  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
that  the  sweet-scented  blossoms  are  not  so  fortunate. 
The  fruit  of  the  sweet  viburnum  (Viburnum  lentago), 
which  is  in  excellent  order  in  the  months  of  October 
and  November,  is  eaten  with  a  gusto.  The  fruits  of 
Lome-era  periclymenum  and  Rhus  glahra  constitute  a  por- 
tion of  their  bill  of  fare  also  at  this  season,  although 
not  favorite  articles  of  diet. 

Many  careful  microscopic  examinations  of  the  contents 
of  numerous  stomachs  during  the  fall  and  winter  months, 
September  excluded,  have  revealed  but  few,  if  any,  traces 
of  insects.  It  is  therefore  wise  to  conclude  that  their 
diet  then  consists  almost  entirely  of  vegetable  food, 
using  this  term  in  its  broadest  sense.  In  early  spring 
indubitable  traces  of  Harpahis  pennsylvanicus,  H.  coinpar, 
Casnonia  pcnnsylvanica,  and  Formica  sanguined,  in  small 
quantities,  have  been  found.  From  the  small  number 
of  coleoptera  and  hymenoptera  that  I  have  been  able  to 
find,  I  incline  to  the  opinion  that  this  scarcity  is  to  be 
attributed  either  to  general  dislike  for  such  fare,  or  to 
its  accidental  presence.  The  examination  of  many 
stomachs,  without  the  slightest  trace  of  insect  remains, 
seems  to  confirm  the  latter  suspicion. 

It  is  mainly  during  the  breeding-period  that  the 
parent  birds  destroy  vast  number  of  noxious  caterpillars, 
and  others.  The  principal  insects  which  constitute  the 
dietary  of  the  young  then,  are  the  larvse  of  Gortyna  zece, 
Anisopteryx  vernata,  A.  pometaria,  Zerene  catena-rid,  Enno- 
mos  subsigndrid,  Choerodes  transversata,  Ilybernia  tiliaria, 
Pieris  rapce,  Colias  philodice,  Tkeda  humuli,  Utethesla  bella, 
Plusia  precaiionis,  and  Orgyia  leucostigma,  among  lepidop- 


54  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

tera.  The  larva  of  Gortyna  zece,  or  the  corn  worm  as  it 
is  commonly  designated,  is  but  little  utilized  as  food, 
owing  to  the  great  difficulty  experienced  in  its  capture. 
During  the  prevalence  of  the  cabbage  plague  a  few  years 
ago,  vast  numbers  of  Pieris  rapes  were  destroyed.  The 
birds  evidently  did  some  good  in  the  preservation  of  the 
plants.  Last  year  but  few  plants  were  infested,  and  the 
result  was  a  good  crop  of  cabbage.  Whether  the  spar- 
rows will  still  continue  to  merit  our  praise,  in  this  par- 
ticular, remains  to  be  seen.  Many  of  our  native  birds 
are  as  partial  to  this  worm  as  the  sparrow,  and  during 
my  boyhood  days  always  kept  them  in  check,  save  in 
seasons  when  there  was  an  unusual  abundance  of  these 
pests,  and  a  remarkable  falling  oft'  in  the  number  of  insect- 
eating  birds.  Formerly,  many  caterpillars  of  the  rusty- 
vaporer  moth  (Orgyla  leucostigma)  were  eaten,  but  lat- 
terly there  is  little  demand  for  such  articles  of  diet  in  a 
region  where  plenty  of  other  and  more  agreeable  food 
abounds.  During  the  past  season  (1877),  scarcely  a 
caterpillar  of  this  species  was  touched.  I  have  observed 
caterpillars  in  such  places  that  they  could  not  have 
escaped  detection  by  the  sparrows,  but  there  was  appa- 
rent a  want  of  disposition  to  meddle  with  these  irritating 
creatures.  The  condition  of  our  Philadelphia  squares, 
and  the  Common,  and  public  parks  of  Boston,  according 
to  the  testimony  of  II.  A.  Purdie,  Esq.,  during  the 
summer  of  1877,  abundantly  testify  to  the  truth  of  my 
assertion.  To  the  disgust  of  persons  of  delicate  nerves 
and  sensitive  natures,  these  insect-pests  were  creeping 
everywhere.  To  be  sure  our  numerous  measuring  worms, 
many  of  whose  technical  names  are  given  above,  are  still 
devoured,  but  through  careful  watchfulness  I  am  con- 
vinced that  the  rage  for  these  smooth-skinned  loopers  is 


THE    SPARROW    IN   AMERICA.  55 

a  thing  of  the  past,  lumbers  will  still  be  continued  to 
be  fed  to  the  young  birds  while  they  are  nestlings,  but 
these  will  be  mingled  with  other  diet  of  a  vegetal 
character. 

Dipterous  insects,  but  chiefly  in  the  mature  state, 
are  greedily  eaten  when  procurable.  To  capture  these 
creatures  requires  no  little  skill  and  address.  Still  I 
have  witnessed  such  feats  by  the  sparrows,  but  there 
was  lacking  that  inimitable  precision  which  character- 
izes the  MuscicapidcB)  Vireonidce,  and  to  a  slight  degree, 
the  Sylvicolidce.  From  the  exceedingly  limited  supply 
of  dipterous  food  which  these  birds  are  able  to  procure, 
it  is  obvious  that  we  cannot  look  to  them  to  rid  man  of 
many  of  his  most  inveterate  tormentors.  The  principal 
insects  of  this  order  that  are  preyed  upon  are  the  com- 
mon house  fly  (Musca  domestica),  stable  fly  (Stomoxys 
calcitrans),  white-lined  horse-fly  (Tabanus  lineola),  mos- 
quito (Calex  tceniorliynchiis). 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  our  various  species  of 
Aphidaz  and  Coccidce,  are  exterminated  in  countless 
myriads.  Perhaps  the  good  which  they  accomplish  in 
the  destruction  of  these  vegetation-destroyers  will  com- 
pensate for  the  mischief  which  they  commit  in  other 
directions.  This  good  quality,  however,  certainly  loses 
much  of  its  value  when  brought  before  the  light  of  in- 
vestigation. 'Tis  true  that  these  rapidly  multiplying 
creatures  are  held  somewhat  in  check  under  sparrow 
domination.  But  then  how  much  better  is  the  condi- 
tion of  affairs  now  than  in  the  past  ?  When  our  smaller 
native  birds  were  common  denizens  of  our  yards  and 
fields,  before  the  introduction  of  the  sparrows,  aphides 
were  not  more  abundant  than  under  the  present  regime. 
Any  of  our  numerous  insect-eating  birds  would  destroy 


56  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

as  many  of  these  pests  in  a  day  as. the  pugnacious  and 
greedy  sparrow,  and  reward  us,  besides,  for  the  privilege 
of  nesting  in  our  shade  and  fruit  trees,  by  the. most 
agreeable  melodies  and  winning  manners. 

o  o 

The  common  earthworm  (Lumbricus  terrestris)  is  also 
eaten.  In  the  spring  and  summer  when  these  creatures 
make  their  appearance  upon  the  surface  on  a  clear 
morning  after  a  night  of  showers,  they  are  instantly 
beset  and  made  subservient  to  a  keen  and  vigorous  appe- 
tite. When  the  garden  soil  has  been  broken  up  by  the 
spade  preparatory  to  sowing  seed,  many  of  these  wiry 
fellows  fall  ready  victims  to  the  sparrow.  Unlike  the 
robin,  tanager,  and  others,  it  has  never  been  observed  in 
the  distant  fields,  gleaning  among  the  upturned  clods 
for  the  caitiffs  which  have  been  exposed  to  the  light  of 
day,  by  the  trenchant  plough.  Other  scenes,  the  bud- 
ding and  blossoming  trees,  invite  its  willing  labors. 

The  flight  of  the  sparrow  is  low,  quite  irregular,  and 
but  slightly  sustained.  It  never  flies  to  a  great  distance, 
when  disturbed,  like  many  of  the  Fringillidce.  In  this 
particular,  it  reminds  us  of  the  movements  of  the  song 
sparrow.  Its  peculiar  physique  will  not  admit  of  pro- 
longed and  rapid  flight,  but  evidently  points  to  a  type 
of  structure  best  adapted  to  non-migratory  habits.  The 
acquirement  of  such  habits  must  certainly  beget  the 
most  unenviable  traits  of  character,  when  viewed  in 
connection  with  the  sparrow's  excessive  salacity  and 
remarkable  powers  of  reproduction.  To  the  same  cause 
must  be  ascribed  the  exceeding  sociability  which  it 
manifests  towards  its  human  brethren. 

In  gleaning  for  food  it  is  mainly  terrestrial  in  habits. 
It  is  only  when  in  quest  of  caterpillars  for  its  young,  and 


THE   SPARROW    IN   AMERICA.  57 

of  articles  for  the  gratification  of  its  own  peculiar  appe- 
tite, that  it  becomes  arboreal. 

The  song  of  this  species,  if  I  may  be  allowed  so  to 
characterize  it,  judging  from  a  human  standpoint,  lacks 
both  variety  and  expression.  It  is  in  striking  contrast 
with  the  song  of  Melospiza  melodia,  the  common  song 
sparrow,  and  with  that  of  Spizella  pusilla,  the  field  spar- 
row. It  cannot  fail  to  attract  attention  by  its  utter 
inharmoniousness.  Its  ordinary  call-note  may  he  quite 
accurately  expressed  by  the  monosyllabic  hwi,  which  is 
repeated  at  somewhat  irregular  intervals.  A  simple 
tiul-che,  the  final  syllable  being  repeated  quite  sharply, 
is  symbolic  of  anger;  while  the  cry  of  vexation  and 
disappointment  is  indicated  by  tivi-lici-twoo,  tici-twi-twoo, 
uttered  in  a  lively  and  discordant  manner. 

If  the  sparrow  possesses  any  notes  during  the  period 
of  mating  different  from  what  it  has  been  heard  to 
emit  at  other  times,  the  writer  is  not  cognizant  of  them. 
If  they  exist,  they  must  only  be  appreciable  to  persons 
possessed  of  a  more  delicate  auditory  apparatus  than  the 
writer  can  lay  claim  to.  It  would  seem  that  this  im- 
portant period  is  ushered  into  existence  by  the  same 
noisy  demonstrations,  but,  if  anything,  tenfold  more 
pronounced,  as  mark  the  sparrow's  daily  awakening 
from  the  sleep  of  night.  The  activity,  which  is  then 
manifest,  is  more  animated.  Contentions,  the  results 
of  amatory  influences,  are  of  frequent  occurrence.  These 
are  mainly  due  to  desires  for  particular  boxes,  and  not, 
as  is  often  erroneously  supposed,  to  desires  upon  the 
part  of  particular  males  for  certain  females.  I  have  the 
best  of  reasons  for  believing  that,  in  the  generality  of 
cases,  the  same  birds  pair  on  each  annual  return  of  the 
season.  My  own  observations  upon  this  species,  in  cer- 
t's 


58  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

tain  isolated  localities,  thoroughly  convince  me  of  the 
truth  of  the  statement.  Boxes  that  were  occupied  during 
the  breeding-season  have  been  known  to  afford  shelter  to 
the  same  parent  birds  during  the  inclemency  of  winter. 
There  are  times,  doubtless,  when  this  condition  of  things 
does  not  prevail. 

Mating  commences  remarkably  early,  if  it  may  be 
said  to  have  a  beginning  at  all.  The  astounding  salacity 
of  the  sparrow,  which  surpasses  that  of  any  other  species, 
so  far  as  my  knowledge  will  enable  me  to  form  a  judg- 
ment, inclines  me  to  believe  that  in  many  cases  it  is  not 
accomplished  at  all.  I  have  observed  the  sexes  together, 
during  the  warm  days  of  December  and  January  that 
sometimes  occur  in  our  northern  winters,  displaying  the 
warmest  affection  and  closest  attachment  for  each  other. 
Such  feelings  beget  an  ardor  of  temperament  which 
manifests  itself  in  conjugal  embraces.  The  sexes,  in 
coition  during  these  months,  have  frequently  been  en- 
countered. This  should  not  seem  such  a  wonderful 
affair,  when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  preparations  for 
nest-building  are  frequently  made  as  early  as  the  first 
week  of  February. 

Usually,  the  male  among  animals  is  the  more  amo- 
rous of  the  sexes.  But  in  the  case  of  the  sparrow, 
the  female  is  certainly  the  equal,  if  not  the  superior,  of 
her  partner,  in  this  respect.  I  have  observed  the  male 
in  sexual  intercourse  with  his  partner  as  many  as  twelve 
times  in  less  than  five  minutes.  Mr.  John  Strouse,  of 
Germantown,  informs  me  that  fifteen  expresses  the 
highest  number  of  times  that  has  come  under  his  no- 
tice. Others  have  observed  a  much  smaller,  yet  equally 
astounding,  number.  The  peculiar  movements  of  the 
female  at  such  times,  and  her  not-to-be-misconstrued 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  59 

call,  are  enough  to  satisfy  the  most  skeptical  that  she 
is  a  genuine  seducer.  The  male,  though  generally  anx- 
ious, does  not  always  obey  her  summons.  From  the 
foregoing  statements,  it  is  obvious  that  sexual  inter- 
course is  not  always  indulged  in  with  a  view  of  propa- 
gating the  species,  but  is  frequently  performed  as  a 
mere  sensual  gratification.  The  overstimulated  life 
which  these  birds  lead,  has  doubtless  produced  that 
excessive  amativeness  which  is  so  conspicuous  a  feature 
of  their  character. 

Niclifi cation,  as  previously  remarked,  commences  early, 
sometimes  as  early  as  the  first  week  of  April,  but 
usually  not  before  the  last  week  of  March,  or  the  begin- 
ning of  April.  The  labors  of  nest-building  are  mutually 
shared,  both  birds  working  with  a  perseverance  and 
diligence  truly  commendatory.  The  materials  out  of 
which  the  domicile  is  built,  are  mostly  gathered  by  the 
male,  his  partner  attending  to  their  proper  adjustment. 
I  have  seen  more  than  a  single  female  engaged  in  assist- 
ing the  male  in  such  work.  Iir  February,  1875,  my 
attention  was  called  to  a  pair  of  females  and  a  single 
male,  carrying  dried  grasses  and  feathers  to  a  certain 
tree-hollow.  The  most  perfect  good-will  and  harmony 
prevailed  among  the  members  of  this  trio.  When  the 
weather  was  unusually  severe,  labor  was  suspended,  to 
be  resumed  on  the  return  of  milder  climate.  Myself 
and  friends  anxiously  awaited  to  see  what  would  be  the 
ultimate  result  of  this  tripartite  covenant,  but  before  the 
nest  had  reached  completion,  from  some  cause  unknown 
to  us,  the  locality  was  deserted,  and  has  not  since  been 
occupied.  Perhaps  the  odd  female  was  a  young  bird 
that  had  been  hatched  late  in  the  season,  and  who,  being 
strongly  attached  to  her  parents,  had  taken  this  means  of 


60  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

proving  her  filial  affection.  It  might  he  supposed  that, 
as  these  sparrows  often  resort  to  hollow  trees  for  shelter 
during  the  cold  days  and  nights  of  winter,  the  aforemen- 
tioned articles  were  designed  for  no  other  purpose  than 
that  of  rendering  their  roosting  quarters  more  comfort- 
able. I  grant  the  plausibility  of  this  explanation.  But, 
then,  it  is  somewhat  negatived  by  the  fact  that  instances 
are  not  wanting  to  prove  that  these  birds  do  sometimes 
take  advantage  of  an  unusually  warm  February  in  obe- 
dience to  their  natural  instincts  of  brood-raising. 

In  the  selection  of  a  locality  some  birds  are  not  at  all 
particular;  but  others,  again,  manifest  a  predilection  for 
boxes,  or  hollow  trees.  The  ivy  comes  in  for  its  share  of 
attention.  Scores  of  birds  not  only  find  comfortable 
shelter  in  the  midst  of  its  network  of  leaves  and 
branches  during  the  rigors  of  winter,  but  also  suitable 
accommodations  for  nesting  purposes.  Where  the  above 
conveniences  are  not  available,  actuated  by  a  true 
parental  instinct,  the  birds  sometimes  place  their  nests 
between  the  forked  branches  of  a  tree.  The  maple  is 
not  uncommonly  selected  for  this  purpose.  A  case  of  the 
kind  came  under  my  immediate  observation  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1874. 

A  nest,  which  the  writer  possesses,  may  be  said  to 
constitute  a  typical  structure,  when  nidification  occurs 
within  a  tree-cavity.  It  occupies  the  hollow  branch  of 
an  apple  tree,  and  measures  fifteen  inches  in  length,  and 
four  inches  in  diameter.  Basally,  it  is  composed  of  a 
heterogeneous  mixture  of  feathers,  grasses,  and  leaves ; 
and,  peripherally,  of  a  thick  wall  of  dry  plant-stems, 
intermingled  with  feathers  of  the  barnyard  fowl.  The 
labor  of  niditication  ordinarily  continues  from  four  to 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  61 

five  days,  when  the  builders  are  working   under  the 
most  favorable  auspices. 

The  nest  just  described  is  unusually  large,  and  is 
the  result  of  several  additions  to  the  original  structure 
after  each  brood-raising.  Three  broods  had  been  success- 
fully reared  within  its  walls,  and  at  tbe  time  of  the 
severance  of  the  limb  from  the  trunk  of  the  tree, 
preparations  for  a  fourth  brood  were  manifest.  From 
the  great  depth  of  its  cavity,  the  labor  of  removing  the 
befouled  materials,  which  would  have  been  exceedingly 
arduous  and  irksome  to  the  birds,  wTas  spared  ;  a  fresh 
supply  of  feathers  being  carried  into  it  for  each  succes- 
sive brood.  The  preparations  for  the  fourth  brood  were 
being  made  during  the  last  week  of  August. 

Another  nest,  which  was  collected  late  in  June,  was 
built  between  a  forked  twig  of  the  common  swamp 
maple.  It  is  composed  externally  of  fine  and  coarse 
strings  from  the  thickness  of  twine  to  that  of  sewing 
silk,  carpet  rags,  a  few  branch  lets  of  Populus  dilatata  or 
Lornbardy  poplar,  and  a  modicum  of  rootlets.  Inter- 
nally, it  is  lined  with  a  dense  stratum  of  raw  cotton. 
It  measures  four  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
mouth,  and  has  a  depth  of  two  and  a  half  inches.  The 
cavity  is  three  inches  wide,  and  one  and  a  half  inches 
deep.  The  outer  materials  are  far  from  being  tastefully 
interwoven,  and  the  arrangement  displays  hut  little 
artistic  skill.  If  its  present  appearance  affords  any 
criterion,  the  cotton  had  evidently  been  found  en  masse, 
and  is  adjusted  pretty  much  in  the  identical  condition 
which  it  presented  when  first  discovered  by  the  birds. 

The  latter  is  the  only  nest  of  the  kind  that  I  have 
met  with.  Its  structure  is  somewhat  anomalous.  But 
since  my  discovery,  I  have  well-authenticated  instances 


62  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

of  other  nests  having  been  found  in  similar  positions. 
Professor  Gilbert,  of  Germantown,  has  recently  called 
my  attention  to  a  nest  of  this  species,  which  was  placed 
upon  a  branch,  and  securely  attached  thereto.  It  was 
protected  from  above  by  an  arch-like  arrangement, 
which  was  firmly  fastened  to  the  walls  of  the  nest  proper, 
evidently  constituting  a  part  of  the  structure.  A  nearly 
circular  aperture  formed  the  only  doorway  by  which  ac- 
cess could  be  obtained  to  the  cosy  chamber  within. 

It  would  seem  from  the  foregoing  statement  that, 
when  deprived  of  the  covering  which  nature  affords  in 
various  ways  in  the  shape  of  decayed  tree-trunks  and 
branches  and  the  matted  leaves  and  vines  of  the  common 
ivy,  or  when  deprived  of  the  many  human  contrivances 
for  nesting  purposes,  these  birds  obtain  the  requisite 
shelter  and  comfort,  in  exposed  situations,  by  building 
roofs  to  their  domiciles.  Here,  it  is  obvious,  is  another 
proof,  in  addition  to  the  many  which  have  been  recorded 
from  time  to  time,  of  the  well-known  truth  that  the 
actions  of  the  feathered  creation  are  controlled  by  a 
reason,  similar  in  kind  but  different  in  degree,  from 
that  which  inspires  human  motives,  and  governs  human 
actions.  Here  is  evidence  of  a  high  mentality. 

Does  the  sparrow  occupy  the  same  nest  any  two  con- 
secutive years  together,  or  does  it,  on  each  annual  return 
of  the  breeding-season,  seek  a  new  locality  ?  I  incline  to 
the  former  belief.  "When  the  nest  is  placed  in  a  box,  in 
many  instances,  the  old  and  soiled  materials  are  carried 
out,  and  a  fresh  supply  takes  their  place.  The  compara- 
tive ease  with  which  this  labor  can  be  accomplished 
renders  it  preferable  to  any  other.  But  in  cases  where 
the  nest  is  situated  deep  down  in  a  hollow  tree-branch, 
the  labor  of  removing  the  entire  materials,  especially 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  63 

where  the  same  nest  has  heen  made  to  answer  for  several 
broods,  would  be  almost  herculean,  and  is  therefore  sel- 
dom attempted.  A  few  of  the  upper  articles  only  are 
removed,  and  others  put  into  their  places.  The  same 
site  is  thus  made  available  for  several  years,  and  is  only 
deserted  when  no  longer  fitted  for  duties  of  incubation 
and  brood-raising. 

When  the  ivy  is  taken  possession  of  for  nesting  and 
roosting  purposes,  for  it  must  be  remembered  that  there 
is  a  decided  preference  for  this  vine  as  evidenced  by  the 
hundreds  of  birds  that  avail  themselves  of  its  shelter, 
there  is  good  reason  for  believing  that  the  same  nest  is 
occupied  until  it  becomes  so  rotten  and  time-worn  as  to 
drop  from  its  moorings,  when  the  unfortunate  owners 
are  compelled  to  construct  another.  Like  the  robin,  the 
sparrow  always  makes  the  necessary  repairs  to  its  home, 
which  have  been  rendered  necessary  by  the  war  of 
elements  to  which  it  has  been  subjected.  But,  in  the 
generality  of  cases,  it  is  otherwise  with  the  robin ;  it 
follows  the  example  of  its  great  brotherhood  of  birds  in 
constructing  a  new  nest  on  each  recurrence  of  the  nest- 
ing-season. 

The  labors  of  nidification  being  accomplished,  but 
little  time  is  wasted  in  celebrating  this  remarkable 
event.  The  birds  seem  actuated  by  the  most  intense 
desire  to  obey  the  controlling  instinct  of  their  being,  the 
chief  aim  of  their  transitory  existence.  Consequently, 
oviposition  commences  on  the  day  succeeding  nest-corn- 
pletion.  The  eggs  are  deposited  not  oftener  than  one 
a  day.  The  ordinary  complement  is  not  less  than 
four,  nor  more  than  five.  Incubation  immediately 
succeeds  oviposition,  in  the  majority  of  instances,  and  is 
never  later  than  the  day  following  the  last  deposit.  It 


64  THE   HOUSE   SPARROW. 

continues  for  eleven  clays.  The  burden  of  the  responsi- 
bility devolves  chiefly  upon  the  female,  although  the 
male  does  not  refuse  his  generous  assistance.  While  his 
partner  is  thus  occupied,  he  is  a  faithful  guardian,  and 
willing  provider.  He  exhibits  great  affection  for  her, 
and  is  indefatigable  in  his  efforts  to  render  her  comfort- 
able and  happy.  His  jealousy  is  unbounded.  !N"o  feath- 
ered stranger  is  permitted  within  his  territory,  without 
receiving  summary  and  condign  punishment  for  such 
temerity.  When  unable  to  cope  with  the  enemy,  a 
call-note  of  distress  brings  scores  of  friends  to  the  rescue. 
He  seldom  strays  any  considerable  distance  from  home, 
except  when  foraging.  He  maintains  the  most  friendly 
relations  with  his  neighbors,  and  is  seldom  known  to 
violate  the  rules  of  common  decency  and  good  faith.  He 
never  trespasses  upon  the  rights  and  property  of  a  friend, 
and  is  extremely  jealous  of  his  own.  Matrimonial  rela- 
tions are  entered  into  with  a  due  sense  of  their  honor 
and  sacredness.  In  not  a  single  instance  have  I  known 
a  real  flirtation  to  be  practised,  a  genuine  case  of  deser- 
tion by  either  sex,  or  one  of  infidelity.  The  remarkable 
salacity  which  characterizes  the  social  life  of  this  species, 
one  would  suppose,  would  break  up  the  harmony  which 
exists,  and  turn  a  well-regulated  and  peaceful  commu- 
nity into  a  state  of  society  where  quarrels  and  bitter 
animosities  would  be  of  daily  occurrence;  in  fine, 
would  convert  it  into  a  communism,  or  a  state  of  society 
in  which  polygamy  would  be  a  prevailing  feature.  Like 
our  common  Gallus,  the  most  powerful  males  would  be 
the  more  highly  favored.  But,  be  it  said  to  the  credit 
of  the  species,  a  more  perfect  pattern  of  conjugal  faith- 
fulness could  scarcely  be  pictured  to  the  mind.  Its 
extreme  amativeness  is  doubtless,  as  before  remarked, 


THE   SPARROW   IN    AMERICA.  65 

the  result  of  the  overstimulated  life  which  these  birds 
lead  in  the  land  of  their  forced  adoption.  Although  in- 
duced by  climatic  and  dietetic  causes,  which  act  with 
greater  freedom  and  power  here  than  in  the  land  of  its 
nativity,  as  I  infer  from  the  silence  of  European  writ- 
ers upon  the  subject,  it  is  gratifying  and  consoling  to 
reflect  that  the  change  has  not  been  so  radical  as  to 
operate  towards  the  destruction  of  the  social  ties  which 
bind  the  individuals  of  this  species  into  a  harmonious 
whole,  and  which  has  cemented  a  friendship  so  strong 
and  durable  that  infidelity  is  out  the  question. 

The  extraordinary  degree  of  affection  which  the  sexes 
display  towards  each  other,  naturally  leads  to  the  infer- 
ence that  parental  love  lacks  naught  of  the  power  and 
vigor  of  conjugal  love.  We  therefore  find  that  the  most 
devoted  affection  and  the  greatest  concern  are  manifested 
for  the  young.  Both  parents  vie  with  each  other  in 
rendering  them  every  needful  attention.  To  satisfy 
their  voracious  appetites,  they  are  kept  alternately  busy 
from  morning  until  night,  as  well  by  cloudy  and  rainy, 
as  by  fair  and  sunshiny  weather.  Occasionally,  both 
birds  are  absent  from  home  on  this  important  business. 
"When  with  young,  should  the  nest  be  assailed  by  human 
or  feathered  foe,  the  utmost  excitement,  and  the  most 
deafening  din,  prevail.  In  the  case  of  a  feathered 
enemy,  the  combined  vengeance  of  the  insulted  pair  is 
wreaked  upon  the  daring  and  presumptuous  offender. 
In  these  attacks,  the  female  is  the  compeer  of  her  lord. 
It  is  seldom  that,  except  in  isolated  cases,  the  necessity 
for  such  assaults  exists,  for,  where  the  requisite  accom- 
modations abound,  a  disposition  to  dwell  in  communities 
is  manifest,  and  few  species  have  the  rashness  to  attempt 
any  molestation. 


66  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

When  the  young  have  attained  the  age  of  from  twelve 
to  thirteen  days,  they  quit  the  nest,  but  are  still  fed  by 
the  parents  from  ten  to  eleven  days  longer,  when  they 
are  sufficiently  matured  to  shift  for  themselves.  Paren- 
tal affection  permits  them  to  linger  about  their  homes, 
and  where  conveniences  exist,  they  are  allowed  to  seek 
shelter,  during  inclement  weather  and  winter  nights, 
in  the  boxes  and  hollows  which  served  them  as  nests 
during  their  helpless  stage  of  existence. 

Generally,  three  broods  are  annually  raised.  In- 
stances are  known  to  the  writer  where  preparations 
were  making  for  a  fourth  brood,  when  the  designs  of 

O  7  O 

the  birds  were  frustrated  by  human  interference. 

During  the  prevalence  of  cold  weather,  at  nights,  and 
even  in  the  warmer  seasons  of  the  year,  in  the  daytime 
when  the  rain  is  descending  in  torrents,  almost  any  con- 
venience is  appropriated  for  roosting  purposes.  Hollow 
trees,  ivy  vines,  boxes,  eaves  of  buildings,  and  outhouses, 
are  common  places  of  resort.  In  rural  districts,  barracks 
and  haystacks  afford  cosy  and  comfortable  quarters. 

In  some  portions  of  Philadelphia  immense  numbers 
take  refuge  in  the  ivy.  In  the  writer's  neighborhood,  es- 
pecially upon  the  north  side  of  the  mansion  of  Mr.  John 
Button,  carefully  protected  from  cold  winds  and  pelting 
storms  by  surrounding  dwellings,  within  an  extensive 
vine  which  covers  the  entire  gable-end,  at  least  a  hundred 
sparrows  find  comfortable  lodgings.  The  ceaseless  clatter 
which  the  birds  produce  during  early  morning,  and  in 
the  evening,  is  almost  deafening.  During  the  breeding- 
period,  the  vine  is  literally  filled  with  nests.  In  asserting 
that  fifty  pairs  and  upward  nidificate  within  its  limits, 
the  writer  cannot  be  accused  of  misrepresentation  or  ex- 
aggeration. Notwithstanding  the  petty  quarrels  which 


TEE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  67 

sometimes  occur, especially  in  the  spring,  a  high  degree  of 
harmony  prevails.  May  this  not  he  accounted  for  hy  the 
fact  that  this  entire  community  is  the  natural  outgrowth 
of  a  single  pair  that  took  up  its  quarters  in  the  vine 
several  years  ago? 

The  eggs  of  the  house  sparrow  are  oval,  pointed  at  one 
extremity,  and  dotted  with  various  shades  of  cinereous 
brown  upon  a  light  ashen  background.  Their  average 
length  is  .91  of  an  inch,  and  average  breadth  .62. 

The  breeding-period  being  over,  both  old  birds  and 
young  may  often  be  seen  together,  dusting  themselves 
in  the  streets  (for  which  they  show  great  fondness),  or 
else  be  observed  upon  a  freshly  deposited  heap  of  horse- 
dung,  gorging  themselves  to  satiety  upon  the  undi- 
gested fragments  of  grain  and  other  substances  which 
it  contains.  Often,  on  such  occasions,  have  we  remarked 
the  attention  which  the  parent  birds  bestow  upon  their 
numerous  progeny,  showing  their  affection  by  the  tender 
of  some  racy  article  which  they  have  discovered  in  their 
careful  and  diligent  examination. 

Even  at  this  period,  and  all  along  through  the  dreary 
autumnal  and  winter  months  which  follow,  owing  to 
the  extreme  scarcity  of  suitable  roosting  quarters,  which 
is  mainly  noticeable  within  large  towns  and  cities  in 
consequence  of  the  vast  abundance  of  these  birds, 
immense  numbers  seek  shelter  upon  window  ledges, 
and  underneath  verandas  or  porches,  which  they  defile 
by  their  disgusting  habits.  The  heaps  of  excrement 
which  they  leave  in  such  places,  a  sorry  compensation 
for  the  kindness  and  benevolence  which  tolerate  their 
presence,  are  considerable.  To  the  tidy  and  careful 
housewife,  they  are  unmitigated  nuisances.  It  is  not 
surprising  that  many  should  place  them  under  the  ban 


68  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

of  excommunication,  and  whenever  the  opportunity  is 
afforded,  should  persecute  them  with  a  bitter  hatred. 
In  the  country,  a  similar  complaint  prevails  ;  but  there 
the  mischief  done  to  newly-painted  cornices,  pillars,  and 
window-ledges,  is  small  in  comparison  with  what  is  ac- 
complished by  these  feathered  denizens  in  cities. 

In  concluding  this  rather  imperfect  sketch  of  the 
sparrow,  I  cannot  refrain  from  mentioning  a  few  facts 
gleaned  from  other  sources.  In  the  winter  of  1875, 
James  Kirk,  Esq.,  of  Germantown,  informs  me  that  he 
erected  a  rather  capacious  house  with  several  compart- 
ments, for  the  accommodation  of  these  birds,  which  were 
frequent  visitants  to  his  garden.  Every  encouragement 
was  given  to  them  to  build.  Although  the  house  was 
put  up  long  before  the  commencement  of  the  breeding- 
period,  to  my  informant's  surprise,  not  a  single  pair  of 
birds  could  be  induced  to  take  permanent  possession. 
Unable  to  solve  the  problem,  application  for  a  solution 
was  made  to  the  writer.  A  little  conversation  with 
the  gentleman  elicited  a  number  of  facts  which,  asso- 
ciated with  others  that  had  come  under  the  writer's  ob- 
servation, enabled  the  latter  to  solve  the  question.  It 
was  apparent  from  the  above  conversation,  that  several 
attempts  had  been  made  by  different  parties  to  build, 
but  owing  to  the  unfriendly  relations  which  subsisted 
between  them,  they  all  proved  failures.  Others  had  at- 
tempted it  with  the  same  results.  Experience  has  taught 
the  writer  that  when  houses  and  even  vines  are  occupied 
by  birds  of  near  kinship,  but  few  if  any  difficulties  occur 
to  mar  the  happiness  of  the  occupants ;  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, when  different  clans,  so  to  speak,  come  together, 
more  or  less  jangling  is  the  certain  and  unavoidable 
result.  In  view  of  these  established  truths,  I  will  be 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  69 

safe  in  concluding  that,  however  suitable  my  friend's 
building  may  have  been  for  nidificating  purposes,  for 
the  sparrow,  like  our  common  house  wren  (Troglodytes 
sedon],  is  not  at  all  fastidious  in  its  selection  of  a  house, 
its  abandonment  was  solely  due  to  the  conflicting  natures 
of  the  parties  that  sought  to  possess  it. 

Some  interesting  observations,  showing  the  reprehen- 
sible conduct  of  the  sparrow,  have  lately  appeared  in 
the  "Hartford  Times"  bearing  date  Oct.  17,  1877.  As  a 
general  thing,  I  care  very  little  for  newspaper  science, 
but  these  facts  are  so  good,  and  correspond  so  closely 
with  notes  of  others  and  my  own,  and  are  such  that  we 
should  expect  from  the  known  character  of  this  species, 
that  I  cannot  refrain  from  giving  them  further  publi- 
city. The  story  was  given  on  the  authority  of  a  friend 
of  the  writer's,  who  obtained  it  direct  from  the  person 
that  witnessed  the  occurrences.  This  gentleman,  a 
resident  of  New  York,  had  erected  in  his  backyard, 
during  the  spring  of  1877, a  large  box  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  sparrows.  It  was  so  constructed  that 
twelve  pairs  of  birds  could  find  appropriate  quarters  for 
nesting.  These  apartments  were  soon  appropriated,  and 
the  business  of  the  season  proceeded  "amid  the  chip- 
pering  din  of  these  fussy  and  pugnacious  feathered 
colonists."  Sitting  idly  at  his  window  one  Sunday 
observing  the  busy  creatures,  the  gentleman's  attention 
was  arrested  by  a  cock-sparrow  which  came  flying  to 
his  place  with  a  fine  soft  white  feather  in  his  bill.  The 
position  of  the  box  was  such  that  he  could  look  into  the 
compartments.  In  this  case  the  bird  was  observed  to 
deposit  the  feather  into  an  incomplete  nest,  and  then 
fly  away.  No  sooner  had  he  disappeared,  than  tlie  nest 
was  visited  by  a  female  sparrow  from  the  adjoining 


70  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

compartment  who  had  evidently  noticed  the  proceeding, 
and  the  coveted  feather  was  carried  away.  Instead  of 
carrying  the  stolen  article  to  her  own  nest,  she  made  off 
with  the  feather  to  a  neighboring  tree,  where  she  se- 
curely fastened  it,  in  an  inconspicuous  place,  upon  and 
between  two  twigs.  There  she  left  it  and  returned 
home.  Pretty  soon  the  loser  came  back  with  a  straw 
to  add  to  his  nest.  Discovering  his  loss,  he  issued  out, 
and  with  many  an  angry  expostulation,  vowed  ven- 
geance upon  the  despoiler  of  his  home.  His  first 
demonstration  was  to  visit  his  next  door  neighbor,  but 
finding  no  trace  of  the  pilfered  feather,  somewhat  per- 
plexed, he  retired,  and  desisting  from  further  attempts 
at  discovery,  flew  away  in  quest  of  another.  The 
guilty  party,  after  innocently  and  loudly  demanding  a 
reason  for  this  ungentlemanly  intrusion  in  order  to  turn 
suspicion  away  from  herself,  as  soon  as  her  offended 
neighbor  had  got  well  out  of  sight,  flew  to  the  tree, 
seized  the  stolen  feather,  and  bore  it  triumphantly  to 
her  own  nest. 

Mr.  Elliott,  in  his  Birds  of  North  America,  mentions 
a  rather  curious  incident,  which  goes  far  to  show  the 
familiar  and  curious  disposition  of  the  sparrow.  It 
savors  somewhat  of  the  ludicrous,  but  is  sufficiently  in- 
teresting to  be  given.  In  August,  1868,  while  passing 
by  an  undertaker's  shop  in  Jersey  City,  his  attention 
was  attracted  to  one  of  these  birds  which  was  hopping 
very  quietly  about  in  a  glass  window  that  had  been 
left  open,  intently  inspecting  the  caskets  on  exhibition, 
doubtless  with  the  view  of  selecting  one  in  which  to 
construct  a  nest. 

A  writer,  in  the  "Scientific  American" for  August  11, 
1877,  mentions  a  few  observations  concerning  these 


THE    SPARROW    IN   AMERICA.  71 

birds  which  had  previously  escaped  the  writer's  atten- 
tion. But  since  their  perusal,  I  have  been  able  to  con- 
firm them.  He  not  only  calls  notice  to  a  change  of  habit 
which  this  species  has  undergone,  but  also  to  a  change 
of  color.  His  observations  are  wholly  restricted  to  New 
York  City  and  its  environs.  While  a  sparrow  with  a 
white  feather  would  be  considered  much  of  a  curiosity 
in  England  or  France,  says  substantially  our  informant, 
such  birds  are  by  no  means  uncommon  in  and  about 
that  city.  According  to  this  writer  they  constitute  at 
least  five  per  cent,  of  the  entire  number.  In  the  City 
Hall  Park,  and  at  Bloomingdale,  birds  are  frequently 
seen  with  unusually  light  plumage.  In  the  midst  of 
Germantown,  I  have  observed  at  least  five  birds  out  of 
every  hundred,  in  which  this  color-change  was  decidedly 
manifest.  Further,  our  informant  says,  after  comparing 
the  movements  of  the  European  sparrow  with  those  of  its 
cis-Atlantic  cousin,  that  the  former  moves  with  a  clear 
and  distinct  hop,  thus  making  a  quite  perceptible  pause 
between  the  two  consecutive  hops ;  while  the  latter  makes 
a  succession  of  quick  hops  with  very  small  ascent,  almost 
equivalent  to  a  short  run,  then  stops  very  abruptly,  thus 
resembling,  in  a  measure,  the  characteristic  movement 
of  the  American  robin.  In  conclusion,  he  says  that  the 
American  bird  is  seemingly  "  entertaining  somewhat  of 
disdain  for  the  insectivorousness  to  which  he  owes  his 
importation,  forgetful  that  in  no  other  way  can  he  pay 
his  passage  money." 

It  is  well  known  that  the  most  friendly  relations 
subsist  among  the  sparrows  of  the  same  household. 
Instances  have  been  recorded  showing  this,  and  also 
the  willingness  and  readiness  with  which  they  hasten 
to  the  rescue  of  one  of  their  number  when  in  danger. 


(±  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

How  they  will  deport  themselves  when  a  comrade  is 
ill,  I  cannot  say  from  experience ;  but  a  knowledge  of 
the  social  life  of  this  species,  in  many  of  its  different 
phases,  amply  qualifies  me  to  speak.  But  I  am  debarred 
from  hazarding  an  opinion.  The  New  York  "Sun"  has 
called  attention  to  a  case  in  point  which  occurred  quite 
recently.  In  the  Jersey  City  ferry -house  of  the  Pavonia 
Ferry,  a  flock  of  sparrows  excited  much  interest  among 
the  passengers,  in  their  endeavors  to  take  care  of  a 
companion  who  was  evidently  sick.  After  much  chip- 
pering  among  the  birds,  as  though  they  had  been  hold- 
ing a  consultation,  it  was  finally  settled  to  put  the 
patient  behind  the  top  cornice  of  a  pillar.  The  sick 
bird  was  then  borne  to  the  chosen  spot  by  three  of  its 
companions,  and  carefully  covered  over  with  straw. 
Everything  having  passed  off  quite  satisfactorily,  a 
dozen  sparrows  perched  upon  the  telegraph  wire,  and  in 
loud  vociferations  celebrated  the  success  of  the  difficult 
undertaking. 

The  human-like  and  orderly  execution  of  this  busi- 
ness, leads  me  to  suspect  that  a  leader  of  superior  intel- 
ligence and  wisdom  directed  the  whole  affair.  In  the 
absence  of  any  positive  information  bearing  upon  the 
subject,  I  am  led  to  this  belief  from  facts  which  have 
come  into  my  possession  since  commencing  this  article. 
"William  Ivenney,  Esq.,  of  this  place,  informs  me  that 
he  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  sparrows, 
which  frequent  his  trees  and  ivy  vines  in  large  numbers, 
nesting  in  the  hollows  of  the  trees,  and  roosting  in  the 
vines.  He  asserts  that  their  noise  in  the  early  evening 
is  almost  deafening,  each  bird  endeavoring  to  outstrip 
its  companions  in  vocal  demonstrations.  All  appear  to 
be  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  happiness.  But  after  a  half 


THE    SPARROW    IN    AMERICA.  73 

hour  thus  spent,  one  of  the  birds  is  observed  to  leave 
the  vine,  and  by  a  given  signal,  so  loud  as  to  be  dis- 
tinctly heard  by  all,  commands  silence.  The  order  is 
instantly  obeyed,  and  quietness  reigns  supreme.  Mr. 
Ivenney  assures  me  that  he  has  seen  the  movements, 
and  heard  the  call,  on  scores  of  occasions,  and  cannot 
be  mistaken. 


74 


CHAPTER  III. 

EVIDENCE,  BOTH  POSITIVE  AND  NEGATIVE,  OF  THE 
SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA. 

IN  the  very  imperfect  sketch  which  I  have  given  of 
the  sparrow's  life  in  its  American  home,  which  is 
mainly  based  upon  my  own  observations,  I  would  be 
guilty  of  manifest  injustice  to  my  contemporaries  who 
have  written  upon  the  subject,  if  I  should  omit  to  make 
mention  of  their  writings  and  discoveries.  Besides,  I 
would  be  neglecting  a  duty  which  I  owe  as  well  to  my- 
self as  to  them.  The  value  of  confirmatory  evidence 
cannot  be  adequately  appreciated.  The  evidence  which 
I  have  to  offer,  therefore,  will  be  both  of  an  affirmative 
and  of  a  negative  character. 

In  the  Annals  of  the  Lyceum  of  Natural  History  for 
1867,  Mr.  Lawrence  has  given  a  brief  sketch  of  the 
sparrow's  introduction,  and  of  the  benefits  which  had 
accrued  therefrom  to  society  up  to  the  time  of  his 
writing.  He  says,  "The  pest  of  oar  shade  trees  and 
horrors  of  pedestrians  (caterpillars  of  Ennomos  subsig- 
naria)  form  part  of  the  diet  of  this  species." 

Dr.  Charles  Pickering,  who  had  obviously  given  con- 
siderable attention  to  the  study  of  the  sparrow-question, 
in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society  for  1867, 
cites  several  authorities  to  show  that  these  birds  have 
been  the  enemies  of  mankind  for  more  than  5000  years. 
At  the  period  of  the  invention  of  writing  this  bird, 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.  75 

according  to  Mr.  Pickering,  was  selected  "  as  the 
hieroglyphic  character  signifying  enemy."  This  writer 
was  led  into  his  investigations  of  its  past  history  only 
after  noticing  exhibitions  of  its  pugnacious  disposition, 
and  destructive  character,  in  his  native  city  of  Boston. 

In  the  Proclamation  of  the  Boston  Society  for  1869, 
Dr.  Brewer  speaks  of  the  good  which  the  sparrows 
have  accomplished  in  New  York,  in  the  destruction  of 
the  measuring  worms  of  that  city,  and  neighboring  cities. 
In  the  summer  of  1867,  he  remarks,  they  were  observed 
actively  engaged  over  the  city  in  clearing  trees  of  worms, 
and  so  successfully,  that  the  foliage  of  none  was  known 
to  be  eaten.  Great  hopes  were  entertained  by  him  of 
the  incalculable  services  which  they  would  render  to 
this  country,  not  merely  in  keeping  measuring  worms, 
but  also  canker  worms,  caterpillars,  and  possibly  curculio 
in  check.  In  the  work  entitled  u  North  American 
Birds,"  his  earliest  views,  the  results  of  his  own  observa- 
tions, are  doubtless  expressed.  Read  what  he  says:  — 

"  Apprehensions  have  been  expressed  that  these  new- 
comers may  molest  and  drive  away  our  own  native 
birds.  How  this  may  be  when  the  sparrows  become 
more  numerous  cannot  now  be  determined,  but  so  far 
they  manifest  no  such  disposition.  Since  their  intro- 
duction into  Boston,  the  chipping  sparrows  appear  to 
have  increased,  and  to  associate  by  preference  with  their 
European  visitors,  feeding  with  them  unmolested.  I 
have  been  unable  to  detect  a  single  instance  in  which 
they  have  been  molested  in  any  manner  by  their  larger 
companions." 

In  September's  issue  of  the  "American  Naturalist"  for 
1874,  in  answer  to  a  small  article  which  was  published 
in  a  previous  number,  in  which  Dr.  Coues  sets  forth  some 


76  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

remarks  of  the  writer's  that  are  derogatory  to  the  spar- 
row's character,  occurs  the  following  pointed  declara- 
tion:— 

"  They  never  molest,  attack,  or  try  to  drive  away  any 
birds  except  their  own  species,  and  that  only  from  ama- 
tory influences.  In  such  times  the  males  are  pugnacious 
against  other  males  of  their  own  species,  but  nothing 
more.  The  females  are  not  at  all  pugnacious  under  any 
circumstances." 

In  a  subsequent  issue  of  the  above  journal  (Oct.  1874), 
a  lengthy  reply  from  the  pen  of  the  writer  is  recorded. 
In  it  occurs  evidence  of  the  sparrow's  irritable,  and 
above  all,  pugnacious  disposition,  substantiated  by  the 
observations  of  Messrs.  Abel  Willis,  John  Strouse,  and 
others  of  Germantown,  Pa.  The  same  number  contains 
an  article  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Stephen  Gould,  of  New- 
port, R.  I.,  corroborative  of  Dr.  Brewer's  statements. 
This  writer  claims  that  the  house  sparrow  is  nearly  always 
accompanied  by  the  American  goldfinch  and  our  com- 
mon sparrow,  and  actually  fraternizes  with  the  black- 
birds; in  short,  courts  the  society  of  other  birds  rather 
than  seeks  to  drive  them  away.  The  male  birds  only, 
he  affirms,  "  tight  among  themselves  after  the  manner 
of  roosters,  but  do  not  seem  to  molest  other  birds." 

As  early  as  1874,  in  this  country,  do  we  discover  that 
the  sparrows  are  not  as  destructive  to  insects  as  was  at 
first  supposed.  None  will  deny  that  they  have  been 
of  service.  For  several  years  prior  to  their  introduc- 
tion, the  measuring  worms  preyed  upon  the  leaves  of 
trees  to  such  an  extent  that,  when  summer  dawned, 
scarcely  a  tree  was  to  be  seen  that  had  not  been  rifled  of 
its  foliage.  So  effectively  had  the  sparrows  accomplished 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.  77 

their  labors  that,  two  years  subsequent  to  their  introduc- 
tion, hardly  a  worm  was  to  be  seen.     Early  in  1874,  ac- 
cording to  the  u Medical  Times,"  another  insect  foe  made 
its  appearance,  in  the  shape  of  the  caterpillar  of  the 
rusty -vaporer  moth,  the  Orgyia  leucostigma  of  entomolo- 
gists.    As  long  as  the  measuring  worms  were  permitted 
to  rest  undisturbed,  this  caterpillar,  which  comes  rather 
late,  discovered  the  "struggle  for  existence"  a  sharp  one, 
its  natural  provisions   being   consumed  by  the  worm. 
It  now  finds  an  ample  supply  of  food,  and,  consequently, 
is  flourishing  and  increasing  rapidly  in  numbers.     Its 
hairy  integument  protects  it  in  a  great  measure  from 
the  sparrow's  assaults.     Some  other  bird  must  be  found 
to  exterminate  this  pest.     But  inasmuch  as  the  sparrow 
is  a  very  obstinate  and  pugnacious  little  fellow,  it  is 
doubtful  whether  he  will  permit  a  stranger  to  trespass 
upon  his  territory.     The  writer  referred  to  above,  says, 
"  At  present,  very  many  trees  in  this  city  have  again  put 
on  the  familiar  woe-begone  look  of  old,  hiding  their 
misery   with  the  merest  tatters  and  shreds  of  leaves. 
But  the  new-comer  doesn't  drop  on  you?     Doesn't  he 
though  ?     If  he  does  not  drop,  he  crawls,  or  gets  on  some 
way  or  other,  and  the  man  who  has  felt  his  long  hairs 
tickling  his  neck,  struck  for  a  fly,  and  finds  in  his  hand 
a  bare  and  bursted  carcass,  on  his  shirt  collar  a  stain,  and 
down  his  back  a  bunch  of  tickling  hairs,  will  vote  the 
c  survival  of  the  fittest,'    in  its  latest  form,  an  unmiti- 
gated nuisance.  " 

At  the  meeting  of  the  American  Association,  held 
August,  1875,  Dr.  John  L.  Le  Conte,  of  Philadelphia, 
asserts  that  the  sparrow  does  not  attack  the  larva  of 
Orgyia  leucostigma^  being  doubtless  deterred  therefrom 
by  the  bristles  with  which  it  is  protected. 


78  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

From  this  .period  to  the  spring  of  1877,  very  little  was 
written  about  the  sparrow,  excepting  the  writer's  work 
on  the  Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  The  many  unen- 
viable traits  of  character  which  this  species  possesses  were 
nevertheless  matters  of  daily  observation  and  conversa- 
tion. After  Dr.  Brewer's  return  from  Europe,  where  he 
had  been  making  a  rather  protracted  visit,  the  sparrow- 
question  is  again  revived,  and  these  much-abused  and 
scandalized  creatures  find  a  firm  friend  and  staunch 
defender.  In  the  "Washington  Gazette,  bearing  date 
June,  1877,  the  doctor  substantially  affirms  that  robins 
were  more  plentiful  in  Boston  than  ever  before,  being 
ten  times  more  numerous  than  they  were  a  decade 
since;  that  bluebirds  now  abound,  which  were  recently 
unknown  ;  that  white-bellied  swallows,  chipping  spar- 
rows, and  purple  martins  have  appeared  in  legions;  and, 
finally,  that  "each  year  adds  new  species,  even  such 
forest-birds  as  the  yellow-bellied  woodpecker." 

In  "The  American  Cultivator"  for  August,  1877, 
similar  views  are  expressed  by  this  indefatigable  writer, 
clinched  by  the  opinions  of  John  Galvin,  Esq.,  the  City 
Forester  of  Boston. 

The  last-named  gentleman,  in  reply  to  certain  questions 
which  were  submitted  to  him  by  Dr.  Brewer,  April  23, 
1877,  affirms  without  hesitation  that  "  the  sparrows  do 
not  molest  or  interfere  with  any  other  bird.  They  do 
not  trouble  the  robin  or  bluebird,  or  manifest  any  ani- 
mosity against  either.  All  summer  long  they  are  to- 
gether, and  it  would  be  impossible  for  this  to  be  done 
without  my  men  or  I  noticing  it,  yet  I  never  witnessed 
anything  of  the  kind." 

"I  have  not  noticed  any  decrease  in  the  numbers  of 
any  kind,  but,  on  the  contrary,  a  very  marked  increase 


of  various  kinds.  The  robins  were  more  numerous  on 
the  Common  last  summer  than  ever  before.  The  little 
chip-sparrow  has  become  very  numerous,  and  seems  to 
be  very  fond  of  the  sparrow,  often  feeding  on  the  same 
bit  of  bread.  The  small  martins  have  very  greatly 
increased  in  numbers  on  account  of  the  number  of  boxes. 
These  they  take  possession  of  whenever  they  want 
one,  and  drive  the  sparrows  away.  Before  the  sparrows 
came  there  were  no  bluebirds  at  all.  Now  they  are 
becoming  quite  common,  and  often  treat  the  sparrows 
very  badly,  taking  away  from  them  their  boxes  and 
breaking  up  their  nests.  The  sparrows,  of  course,  show 
fight,  but  the  bluebirds  are  always  too  strong  for  them." 

"  I  am  all  in  favor  of  the  sparrows.  I  believe  that 
they  do  no  harm,  but  a  great  deal  of  good.  Thousands 
of  dollars  would  not  pay  the  city  for  their  loss,  and  I 
would  be  very  sorry  to  see  anything  done  to  prejudice 
people  against  them  or  permit  their  destruction." 

Again,  the  same  writer,  in  clear  and  unmistakable 
language,  says,  "Their  introduction  into  Boston  was 
immediately  attended  with  great  benefit,  almost  beyond 
calculation.  The  trees  on  the  Common  were  infested 
with  a  nasty  yellow  caterpillar,  which  destroyed  the 
leaves  and  buds  of  the  elms  and  other  trees  ;  and  these 
insects  increased  very  rapidly  in  spite  of  all  that  my 
men  could  do  to  destroy  them,  and,  at  the  south  end, 
the  elm  trees  were  eaten  every  June  by  swarms  of 
canker-worms.  Both  of  these  pests  have  been  pretty 
nearly  exterminated,"  etc. 

Negativing  the  assertions  of  Messrs.  Brewer  and  Gal- 
vin,  we  have  the  unequivocal  statements  of  H.  D.  Minot, 
Esq.,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.  This  gentleman,  who  is 
distinguished  alike  for  the  scope  and  accuracy  of  his 


80  THE    HOUSE   SPARROW. 

observations,  remarks  in  a  late  number  of  the  "Forest 
and  Stream,"  in  giving  his  objections  to  the  English 
sparrow:  "  1.  They  have  no  personal  attractions,  except 
their  tameness.  2.  They  are  practically  useless,  and 
are  no  longer  needed.  In  Cambridge,  those  trees  which 
are  properly  tarred  have  no  canker-worms  on  them, 
because  the  female  moth  is  wingless,  and,  if  prevented 
from  ascending  the  trunk,  cannot  lay  her  eggs  near 
leaf-buds.  Many  others  of  the  elms  here  are  largely 
stripped,  but  I  have  not  seen  an  English  sparrow  eat 
one  canker-worm,  though  both  the  birds  and  caterpillars 
are  abundant.  The  birds  may  have  been  useful  on  their 
first  arrival  from  Europe,  but  they  are  too  much  pam- 
pered to  be  so  now,  at  least  to  any  satisfactory  extent. 
3.  They  destroy  fruit  blossoms.  4.  They  are  often  quar- 
relsome, and  sometimes  drive  away  other  useful  birds, 
as  I  can  positively  testify  to  from  my  personal  observa- 
tion." 

11.  A.  Purdie,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  whose  reliability  as  an 
ornithologist  is  unquestioned,  in  a  communication  to 
the  " Boston  Daily  Advertiser,"  July  30,  1877,  confirms 
Mr.  Minot's  statements  in  part.  He  says,  "All  over  the 
boles  of  the  elms,  maples,  lindens,  and  other  trees  might 
be  seen  crawling  the  larvae  or  caterpillars  of  the  tussock, 
plumed  or  vaporer  moth,  also  known  as  the  white- 
marked  orgyia,  Or  gym  leucostigma.  They  had  descended 
from  the  branches  where  since  May  they  have  been  feed- 
ing, and  many  were  spinning  about  themselves  their 
temporary  home  or  cocoon.  In  a  few  days  the  com- 
pleted cocoons  were  to  be  seen  by  thousands,"  etc. 

Then,  in  reply  to  some  rather  sweeping  assertions 
which  appeared  in  the  columns  of  the  "Journal  and 
Transcript,"  and  "Forest  and  Stream,"  in  which  the 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.  81 

writer  asserts  that  "here  in  Boston  the  sulphur-colored 
caterpillars  have  ceased  to  disgust  us  with  their  odious 
presence,  and  we  no  longer  fear  for  the  safety  of  our 
elms  as  we  did  in  1869,"  etc.,  Mr.  Purdie  inquires, 
"Why  these  caterpillars  on  our  trees?  "With  more  spar- 
rows than  ever  before,  and  more  native  species,  how  can 
it  he?  These  crawling  things  come  from  eggs  that  all 
last  fall,  winter,  and  spring,  the  pretty  little  sparrows 
should  have  eaten.  They  were  laid  by  the  wingless 
female  imago,  which  should  also  have  been  devoured. 
The  chrysalis  must  now  be  swallowed  as  a  dainty 
morsel!  But  no;  not  one  is  molested  by  Passer  domes- 
ticus." 

Still  further  our  informant  remarks:  "Mr.  Galviu 
must  have  noticed  this  and  re-engaged  his  corps  of  tree- 
scrapers,  for  on  the  18th  instant,  men  appeared  on  the 
Common,  each  armed  with  a  sharp-pointed  pole  with 
which  then  and  since  they  destroyed  the  caterpillars  and 
their  cocoons,  and  the  trees  bear  scars  where  each  victim 
was  effectively  impaled.  But  those  within  ground-reach 
only  are  disposed  of.  Others  on  the  limbs  of  the  larger 
trees  are  left  for  the  sparrows  to  enjoy.  In  a  week  or 
two  more  the  transformation  will  be  complete,  the  male 
moths  will  be  seen  flying  about,  and  the  unobserved 
female,  simply  crawling  from  the  inside  to  the  outside 
of  her  cocoon,  will  there  deposit  her  eggs,  the  same  to 
develop  next  season  into  the  destructive  stage  of  exist- 
ence." 

Mr.  Purdie  does  not  leave  the  subject  here.  After 
showing  that  the  trees  of  the  Common  are  provided  with 
one  or  more  occupied  boxes  to  each  tree,  he  leaves  the 
scene  and  invites  the  reader  to  a  place  on  Bowdoin 
Street,  where  stand  six  trees,  maples  and  horse-chestnuts, 


82  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

nearly  destitute  of  foliage.  In  one  of  these  trees  are 
two  boxes,  and  in  three  of  the  others,  one  box  each,  and 
although  the  occupants  are  close  at  hand  and  have 
raised  one  or  two  broods  in  each  of  the  boxes,  yet  the 
trunks  and  branches  of  the  trees,  as  well  as  the  boxes 
themselves,  are  completely  covered  by  cocoons.  In 
speaking  of  the  scarcity  of  our  smaller  native  birds  in 
the  same  article,  Mr.  Purdie  says,  "  I  have  been  on  the 
Common  nearly  every  day,  and  less  often  on  the  public 
garden,  for  the  past  ten  years,  and  have  been  a  close 
observer,  and  have  kept  a  list  of  the  native  species 
noticed.  I  am  sorry  to  say,  for  I  wish  it  were  otherwise, 
that  our  birds  have  wonderfully  decreased  in  both 
species  and  numbers.  I  miss  their  songs  and  other 
notes.  The  big  robin  I  except ;  that  bouncer  of  the 
sod  holds  his  own  against  all  odds.  Who  has  caused 
this  thing,  but  the  pugnacious  f ring  ilia ,  now  courted  by 
the  city?" 

Mr.  Dearie,  also  a  resident  of  Boston,  who  is  no  less 
remarkable  for  the  extent  than  the  accuracy  of  his  ob- 
servations, bears  indubitable  testimony  to  the  truth  of 
the  foregoing  assertions. 

Dr.  Coues,  one  of  the  leaders  of  ornithology  in  this 
country,  a  gentleman  who  has  done  more  to  advance 
this  favorite  branch  of  science  than  possibly  any  one  else, 
in  the  "Field  and  Forest"  for  May,  remarks  that,  "Passer 
domesticus,  the  nuisance,  was  introduced  some  years  after 
our  last  appeared,  and  now  these  rowdy  little  gamins 
squeak  and  fight  all  through  the  city  to  our  great  dis- 
gust. The  introduction  of  these  exotics  clutters  up 
ornithology  in  a  way  that  a  student  of  geographical  dis- 
tribution may  deplore,  and  interferes  decidedly  with  the 
balance  of  power  among  the  native  species.  Whatever 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.          83 

may  be  said  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding,  these 
sparrows  do  molest,  harass,  drive  off,  and  otherwise 
maltreat  and  forcibly  eject  and  attempt  to  destroy 
various  kinds  of  native  birds,  which  are  thereby  de- 
prived of  certain  inalienable  rights  to  life,  liberty,  and 
the  pursuit  of  happiness  after  their  own  fashion." 

In  the  "  Chicago  Field"  for  July,  1877,  we  have  another 
article  from  the  same  gifted  pen.  After  alluding  to  the 
introduction  of  the  sparrows  into  this  country,  the  good 
which  they  were  expected  to  accomplish,  their  remark- 
able increase,  and  a  dozen  no  less  interesting  matters,  the 
doctor  is  at  length  brought  to  the  main  point  which  he 
has  to  urge  against  these  birds,  namely,  the  reaction  of 
their  presence  upon  our  native  birds.  He  remarks  that, — 

"  They  are  rapidly  exterminating  the  native  songsters 
and  insect-eating  birds  from  our  cities,  and  what  the 
result  will  be  when  the  sparrows  overflow  into  all  the 
country,  even  I,  who  try  to  be  alive  to  the  whole  case, 
can  only  imagine.  The  sparrows  are  lusty,  vigorous 
birds,  remarkably  stout  for  their  size,  and  withal  most 
pugnacious,  irascible,  irritable  creatures,  who  wage  per- 
petual warfare  with  the  peacably  disposed  and  unoffend- 
ing birds  with  whom  they  are  necessarily  thrown  into 
contact.  This  is  contact  of  a  kind  that  necessarily  im- 
plies competition,  and  in  every  struggle  for  existence, 
as  we  all  know,  the  weakest  must  go  to  the  wall." 

In  the  "Forest  and  Stream"  for  June,  1877, a  very  in- 
teresting article  bearing  upon  the  much  mooted  "  spar- 
row question,"  appears  from  the  pen  of  William  Walsh, 
Esq.,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  The  writer,  after  speaking 
about  the  warfare  which  these  birds  wage  upon  the 
bluebird,  robin,  wren,  and  worst  of  all  upon  that  "  sweet 
charmer  of  the  spring,"  the  song  sparrow ;  their  utter 


84  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

uselessness  in  the  destruction  of  the  rose-bug  and  a  spe- 
cies of  green  worm,  and  their  peculiar  penchant  for  cher- 
ries, concludes  his  interesting  sketch  in  the  following 
language: — 

"  From  what  I  have  seen  I  know  from  experience  that 
the  sparrow  is  a  good-for-nothing, domineering  bird,  and 
any  casual  observer  cannot  help  but  notice  that  they  are 
always  fighting  among  themselves,  and  if  one  picks  up 
a  crumb  or  worm  the  others  pursue  him  to  the  death 
almost,  to  take  it  away,  and  more  times  than  one  have 
I  seen  him  drop  a  '  rare  bit'  trying  to  flee  from  his 
companions.  They  let  orchards  go  to  ruin,  for  they  will 
not  eat  every  kind  of  insect,  and  the  cornices  and  win- 
dow tops  of  the  houses  in  our  cities  present  a  disgraceful 
sight  from  their  droppings,  they  preferring  to  build  their 
nest  in  the  eaves  of  houses  and  spend  their  time  among 
dung  hills  in  the  street,  rather  than  protect  the  orchards, 
which  they  were  transported  for.  They  are  given  to 
wanton  laziness,  and  I  recommend  that  the  Acclimatiza- 
tion Society  ship  them  all  home  again,  and  bring  Eng- 
lish starlings,  nightingales, and  the  like, and  while  they 
are  about  it,  bring  over  some  English  partridge  and 
woodcock." 

J.  H.  Batty,  Esq.,  of  New  Utrecht,  X.  Y.,  than  whom 
no  better  authority  upon  the  sparrow  exists  in  that 
State,  has  placed  upon  record  the  history  of  its  pugna- 
cious disposition  and  destructive  propensities. 

H.  G-.  Carey,  Esq.,  of  Indianapolis,  la.,  although  a 
warm  friend  to  the  sparrow,  in  the  midst  of  the  many 
excellent  things  which  he  says  about  the  species,  for  ex- 
amples, their  wholesale  destruction  of  noxious  insects, 
and  the  friendly  relations  which  the}^  have  established 
with  our  native  birds,  consistently  affirms, — 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.  85 

"Their  value  as  a  means  of  defence  against  the  ravages 
of  insects  and  worms  upon  foliage  and  plants,  is  in  an 
inverse  ratio  to  the  amount  of  other  food  at  their  com- 
mand. If  there  is  an  abundance  of  grain  and  offal 
suited  to  their  tastes,  at  their  disposal,  they  will  not 
exert  themselves  in  search  of  worms.  They  get  in  their 
best  work  on  insects  and  caterpillars  by  destroying  their 
larvfe  during  the  winter  season  when  other  means  of 
subsistence  are  scarce." 
Again  : — 

"  They  prefer  to  build  their  nests  in  small  boxes  placed 
fifteen  or  twenty  feet  above  the  ground  on  trees  in  pub- 
lic streets,  walks,  or  grounds.  When  a  sufficient  number 
of  these  is  not  supplied,  they  will  build  in  hollow  cor- 
nices, brackets,  window  caps,  or  in  projections  of  any 
character  on  the  walls,  or  under  the  eaves  of  houses — 
always  selecting  the  front  or  most  public  exposure.  In 
these  localities  they,  from  their  noise  and  droppings, 
often  become  great  sources  of  annoyance." 

An  anonymous  writer,  in  "Forest  and  Stream"  for 
Ma}^,  1877,  writes  in  disparaging  terms  of  the  sparrow's 
usefulness.  After  alluding  to  its  introduction  into  In- 
dianapolis for  the  purposes  of  "  worming"  and  "  bug- 
ging," the  writer  says, — 

"  From  less  than  a  hundred  they  are  now  become 
thousands,  and  still  the  caterpillar  swings  its  nest  on 
the  elm  and  pear  tree.  The  miller  flits  in  undiminished 
numbers  about  the  evening  lamps.  In  fact,  it  is  believed 
that  these  foreigners  are  mere  scavengers,  alighting  upon 
the  streets,  and  eating  offal  with  our  common  pigeons." 
In  ]N"ew  York  City  and  surroundings,  evidence  of  the 
sparrow's  jealous  disposition  and  destructive  propensi- 


86  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

ties,  is  not  wanting.  In  an  anonymous  article  to  the 
"Forest  and  Stream"  for  June,  1877,  a  few  thoughts  as 
to  the  advisability  of  permitting  these  birds  to  increase 
in  their  present  alarming  proportion,  are  given.  The 
writer,  after  alluding  to  the  eminent  service  which  they 
perform  in  the  destruction  of  the  insects  which  prey 
upon  the  foliage  of  trees,  in  municipal  districts,  and  in 
the  removal  of  refuse  materials,  argues  that  we  can  very 
well  dispense  with  the  few  birds  which  were  accustomed 
to  visit  such  localities  before  the  introduction  of  the 
former.  He,  then,  after  a  brief  allusion  to  the  verdict 
of  Mr.  Galvin,  of  Boston,  says  in  unequivocal  language  : 
"  Where  the  English  sparrows  congregate  or  breed  in 
numbers,  there  soon  our  native  birds  are  wanting.  We 

O 

have  time  and  again  witnessed  the  fierce  pugnacity  of 
the  imported  birds.  Among  themselves  they  are  ex- 
ceedingly quarrelsome,  but  let  a  bird  of  a  different  genus 
but  show  himself,  and  the  fury  of  the  whole  sparrow 
community  is  turned  upon  the  helpless  interloper;  they 
chase  him  hither  and  thither,  giving  him  no  rest  until 
he  is  banished  from  the  neighborhood.  The  sparrows 
prefer  the  city  streets,  where  their  repulsive  food  is 
plenty,  and  select  the  public  parks  for  breeding,  but 
their  marvellous  increase  has  driven  hordes  of  them  out 
to  the  surrounding  suburbs,  where  their  presence  is  not 
needed,  the  numberless  insectivorous  and  worm-eating 
natives  generally  being  there  amply  sufficient  to  cope 
with  the  vermin.  We  have  in  mind  a  locality  on  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson,  not  many  miles  from  the  heart 
of  ]N"ew  York  City,  a  spot  noted  for  its  forest  trees  and 
picturesque  loveliness.  A  very  few  years  ago  it  was  the 
abiding  place  of  many  of  our  most  melodious  song 
birds.  The  wood-thrush  sent  his  metallic  notes  ringing 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.  87 

from  the  tall  oak  and  hemlock;  the  robin,  scarlet 
tanager,  oriole,  and  a  host  of  others,  made  the  Avoods 
ring  with  their  songs,  or  enlivened  the  scene  with  their 
brilliant  plumage." 

"  The  English  sparrow,  overflowing  from  the  city, 
made  his  ill-omened  appearance  ;  within  six  months,  the 
harsh  never-ceasing  chirp  filled  the  air  from  morning 
until  night,  and  our  native  birds  began  to  be  heard 
and  seen  in  less  numbers.  The  following  spring  the 
most  prized  wood-thrush  had  gone  elsewhere  to  breed, 
and  there  was  a  corresponding  diminution  in  the  number 
of  our  other  yearly  visitants.  The  indignation  of  the 
neighbors  soon  vented  itself  on  the  useless  usurpers,  and 
they  were,  by  being  killed  and  having  their  nests  broken 
up,  soon  driven  off,  and  at  the  present  time,  two  years 
since  the  banishment  of  the  English  birds,  the  native 
and  aboriginal  avi-fauna  of  that  region  is  as  plentiful  as 
it  ever  was." 

The  editor  of  the  last-mentioned  journal,  in  his  issue 
for  July,  1877,  prints  two  very  interesting  and  graceful 
contributions  to  the  sparrow-question,  from  the  pens  of 
lady  correspondents  who,  according  to  his  statement, 
are  "direct  descendants  of  the  man  who,  during  the 
early  days  of  American  scientific  research,  did  perhaps 
more  than  any  one  before  or  since  has  done  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  its  interests.  They  come  from  those  liv- 
ing on.  the  spot  where  the  immortal  artist  naturalist 
spent  some  of  his  happiest  years;  where,  having  accom- 
plished his  great  life-work,  he  passed  into  a  ripe  old  age, 
then  peacefully  away."  It  requires  but  little  effort  of 
the  mind  to  imagine  to  whom  the  editor  refers. 

The  value  of  this  testimony,  coming  as  it  does  from 
persons  who  have  doubtless  inherited  much  from  their 


88  THE   HOUSE   SPARROW. 

illustrious  ancestor,  cannot  be  fully  appreciated,  and 
must  certainly  be  treated  by  the  friends  of  the  sparrow, 
with  a  due  degree  of  reverence  and  respect.  The  first 
lady,  writing  from  New  York  City,  over  a  rather  eupho- 
nious cognomen,  says,  concerning  the  advisability  of 
cultivating  the  English  sparrow, — 

"  I  deem  it  not  only  a  pleasure  to  add  my  testimony 
against  them,  but  a  duty,  to  use  every  means  in  my 
power  to  aid  those  who  desire  to  banish  to  the  city 
the  little  pests,  as  much  the  enemies  of  our  birds  as  ever 
tories  were  of  whigs." 

Then,  after  briefly  alluding  to  the  reason  which  the 
defendants  of  these  birds  give  for  allowing  them  to  in- 
crease, namely,  their  destruction  of  the  worms  which 
infest  trees  and  vegetables,  she  says, — 

"Can  it  be  that  they  do  not  know  that  our  native 
birds  do  the  same?  In  a  city  where  the  latter  will  not 
live,  the  sparrow  may  have  his  work  to  do,  but  certainly 
in  no  other  place,  and  for  no  other  reason  could  any  one 
ever  care  to  raise  them,  for  they  are  neither  handsome 
nor  songsters.  That  they  do  drive  away  all  other  birds 
from  any  locality  which  is  so  unfortunate  as  to  have 
them  for  inhabitants  is  to  me,  and  any  close  observer, 
an  indisputable  fact.  Some  years  ago,  several  of  the 
neighbors  brought  large  numbers  of  them  to  this  place. 
In  an  incredibly  short  time  not  a  forest  bird  was  to  be 
seen  or  heard.  This  was  borne  impatiently  for  a  year 
or  so,  until  the  guns  of  more  than  one  lover  of  justice 
and  friend  to  the  birds,  drove  the  usurpers  from  the 
place.  Since  their  banishment  the  forest  birds  have  re- 
turned in  full  force,  and  once  more  their  sweet  notes  are 
heard  around  the  home  of  him  who  made  the  study  of 
them  and  their  habits  his  life-work." 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.          89 

The  other  anonymous  communication  to  which  re- 
ference has  been  made,  emanating  as  it  does  from  the 
pen  of  a  lady  deeply  alive  to  the  interest  of  the  subject, 
is  pregnant  with  the  most  astounding  truths.  I  cannot 
refrain  from  quoting  it  in  its  entirety.  Read  what  she 
says  :  — 

"  Let  me  say  a  few  words  for  the  dear  companions  of 
my  childhood.  I  live  in  one  of  the  loveliest  spots  on 
earth,  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson.  Magnificent  old 
forest  trees  surround  me  while  I  write,  and  the  songs 
of  many  birds  fill  my  heart  with  their  melody.  To  my 
mind,  their  notes  this  afternoon  have  a  pleading  tone, 
and  I  feel  compelled  to  answer  their  appeal  by  using  my 
small  influence  against  their  enemies,  the  sparrows. 
Years  ago  our  ears  were  delighted  with  the  thrilling 
notes  of  the  thrush,  the  meadow  lark,  the  oriole,  and 
many  birds  who  find  a  welcome  home  in  our  grand  old 
pines  and  oaks.  We  little  thought  when  we  welcomed 
as  enthusiastically  as  any  one  the  importance  of  the 
sparrow  that  they  would  destroy  this  pleasure  for  us  ; 
but  sad  experience  has  taught  us  a  lesson  regarding 
them.  As  they  accomplished  their  work  so  well  in  the 
city,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  try  them  here  also  ; 
why,  I  know  not,  as  I  cannot  remember  that  we  were 
ever  much  troubled  in  our  locality  with  the  worms  and 
caterpillars  that-  did,  I  know,  infest  NQW  York.  But 
out  they  came  in  great  numbers,  and  bitterly  did  we 
rue  the  day.  One  by  one  our  dear  little  songsters  dis- 
appeared, larks,  thrushes,  scarlet  tanagers,  orioles,  all 
fell  victims  to  the  quarrelsome  dispositions  of  the  little 
sparrows.  Even  the  robins  could  hardly  hold  their  own 
against  them.  For  three  or  four  years  we  suffered  the 
loss  of  our  favorites,  and  then  indignation  overpowered 
7 


90  THE   HOUSE   SPARROW. 

us,  and  we  rose  in  a  body  to  drive  the  intruders  away. 
We  have  done  so  almost  entirely,  and  this  summer,  for 
the  first  time  in  many  years,  have  again  welcomed  our 
native  birds,  but  if  we  are  to  keep  them  we  must  destroy 
the  sparrows,  as  they  do  most  certainly  fight  and  kill 
all  other  birds.  Let  them  keep  to  the  city,  where  they 
have  done,  and  are  doing,  a  good  work,  but  leave  us  in 
our  country  homes  our  own  feathered  songsters." 

In  the  summer  of  1877,  the  writer  spent  considerable 
time  in  New  York  City,  Jersey  City,  Newark,  and 
several  other  large  towns  and  cities  of  the  State  of  New 
Jersey  where  the  sparrows  arc  quite  plentiful,  and  ob- 
served on  scores  of  occasions,  exhibitions  of  their  insolent 
bearing  towards  our  native  birds,  particularly  towards 
such  as  remained.  The  great  scarcity  of  the  latter  was 
a  rather  noticeable  feature.  H.  H.  Rusby,  Esq.,  of 
Franklin,  N.  J.,  who  accompanied  me  in  my  travels,  can 
testify  to  the  truth  of  my  statement.  The  same,  close 
observer  assured  me  that  he  had  frequently  witnessed 
the  unprovoked  assaults  of  the  sparrows  upon  our  native 
birds,  and  the  persistence  with  which  they  were  contin- 
ued. From  numerous  observations  he  said  "  he  had 
become  convinced  that  there  existed  a  feeling  of  hatred 

O 

towards  our  native  species,  which  invariably  manifested 
itself  when  the  latter  came  into  contact  therewith." 
He  further  assured  the  writer  that  our  own  birds  de- 
creased pari passu  with  the  increase  and  spread  of  the 
foreigners.  Concerning  the  destructiveness  of  the  spar- 
rows, Mr.  Eusby  says,  4t  Farmers  in  the  vicinity  of 
Newark,  N.  J.,  have  been  seriously  troubled  during  the 
past  season  (1877)  by  the  depredations  of  the  sparrows 
upon  the  growing  corn.  These  birds,  gathering  in  the 
hedges  and  along  the  fence-rows,  often  make  inroads 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.          91 

upon  the  field  to  the  distance  of  two  rods,  and  tearing 
open  the  husks  at  the  end  of  the  ear,  devour  the  young 
corn.  I  have  seen  fields  where  the  grain  near  the  bor- 
ders was  almost  entirely  destroyed,  and  have  heard 
farmers  predict  that  the  time  would  come  when  the 
raising  of  Indian  corn  would  he  rendered  almost  impos- 
sible, owing  to  this  pernicious  influence."  Evidence  of 
a  similar  character  from  localities  occupied  by  the  spar- 
rows, in  divers  parts  of  New  Jersey,  could  be  adduced, 
but  the  desire  not  to  protract  this  chapter  beyond  cer- 
tain limits,  prevents  the  author  from  a  recital  of  numer- 
ous authorities.  He  will,  therefore,  mention  one  other 
authority  from  this  section  of  the  country,  and  pass  to 
evidence  of  the  sparrow's  fighting  and  destructive  quali- 
ties, as  witnessed  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania. 

Prof.  Cope,  a  naturalist  of  rare  attainments,  and  re- 
markable alike  for  the  extent  and  correctness  of  his  ob- 
servations, informs  the  writer  that  while  a  resident  of 
lladdonfield,  N.  J.,  where  these  birds  are  exceedingly 
abundant,  incessant  warfare  was  waged  upon  all  the 
smaller  birds  that  dared  to  intrude  upon  occupied  terri- 
tory, the  fox  sparrow  (Passerella  iliaca)  alone  being  able 
to  cope  with  the  stranger.  Even  the  robin,  which  is 
generally  able  to  hold  its  own,  according  to  the  same 
eminent  authority,  was  compelled  to  retreat  before  the 
inveterate  attacks  of  these  invaders. 

From  Philadelphia  and  its  environs,  the  testimonies 
of  a  score  and  even  more  of  observers  could  be  given 
concerning  the  sparrow's  uselessness.  The  great  body 
of  evidence  is  derogatory  to  its  character.  I  know  of 
no  competent  witness  that  could  be  brought  forward  to 
testify  to  its  general  usefulness.  To  be  sure,  I  could 
mention  a  few7  names  of  individuals  who  would  so  tes- 


92  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

tify,  but  their  evidence  must  be  ruled  out,  owing  to 
incompetency  on  the  ground  of  ignorance  and  national 
prejudice. 

John  Strouse,  of  Chestnut  Hill  (a  suburb  of  Philadel- 
phia), can  testify  to  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  assertions. 
In  a  conversation  with  the  writer  upon  the  sparrow's 
usefulness,  he  says  : — 

"  The  chipping  sparrow,  bluebird,  house  wren,  and 
great  crested  flycatcher,  were  in  past  years  common 
denizens  of  my  yard  and  kitchen-garden,  and  were  ac- 
customed to  build  therein  ;  but  now  the  detestable 
sparrows  have  usurped  their  places.  The  unprovoked 
hostilities,  which  the  latter  have  waged  against  their 
unoffending  brethren,  have  induced  me  to  make  war 
upon  them.  I  have  generously  given  our  birds  that 
encouragement  and  protection  which  a  purblind  muni- 
cipality has  denied.  In  the  spring,  when  my  grape- 
vines are  in  blossom,  they  are  attacked,  and  scarcely 
a  blossom  is  left  to  mature  into  fruit.  Even  the 
latter  requires  the  closest  vigilance  to  prevent  its  de- 
struction. In  other  places  I  have  witnessed  similar 
depredations,  not  only  upon  the  vines,  but  also  upon  the 
blossoms  and  ripened  fruit  of  the  cherry,  and  the  produce 
of  the  strawberry  and  raspberry.  In  harvest  time  im- 
mense flocks  settle  down  upon  the  prostrate  grain  and 
destroy  immense  quantities  of  this  staple  article  of  food." 

William  E.  Meehan,  Esq.,  of  this  place,  admits  that 
they  accomplish  a  vast  amount  of  damage,  and  also  that 
it  is  not  solely  in  quest  of  insects  that  they  are  attracted 
to  the  blossoms,  but  for  the  sake  of  the  tender  ovaries 
and  ripened  anthers.  He  says,  "  I  have  seen  them 
attack  the  pear-tree  within  my  father's  nurseries,  and 
scatter  the  blossoms  in  every  direction.  Even  in  the 


I/ 


THE  SPARROW'S  USEFULNESS  IN  AMERICA.  93 

spring,  I  Lave  known  them  to  make  terrible  havoc  upon 
the  buds  of  the  small  shrubbery  in  the  same  locality." 

That  the  luscious  and  highly-flavored  raspberry  is  not 
free  from  the  ravages  of  these  birds,  Mr.  Anthony 
Strouse,  of  Chestnut  Hill,  is  ready  to  testify.  In  a  con- 
versation with  the  writer,  in  the  presence  of  several  wit- 
nesses, he  adds, — "  During  the  past  season  (1877),  I  was 
compelled  to  destroy  immense  numbers  of  these  birds,  in 
order  to  save  my  fruit.  At  first,  I  was  the  friend  of  the 
sparrow,  and  built  several  houses  for  its  accommodation. 
But  its  recent  depredations  have  brought  it  into  bad 
repute  with  me.  A  raid  upon  my  grapes  in  the  fall  of 
1876  paved  the  way  for  the  proceedings  which  recent 
events  have  compelled  me  to  institute  against  it.  The 
luscious  and  juicy  strawberry  does  not  escape  its 
ravages.  Last  June  my  neighbor's  patch  was  entered 
and  would  have  been  entirely  destroyed,  had  not  necessity 
compelled  him  to  cover  the  plants  by  netting  stretched 
upon  small  upright  posts  in  order  to  save  the  fruit,  for 
which  the  birds  showed  considerable  fondness." 

Isaac  Reiff,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  who  has  spent  the 
most  of  his  life  within  the  limits  of  the  city  proper,  and 
who  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  study  of  the 
habits  of  our  birds,  says,  "Fewer  birds  visit  the  city 
squares  and  the  sidewalks  under  sparrow  rule,  than 
formerly.  Our  native  birds  manifested  less  dread  of  the 
squirrels  than  of  the  sparrows.  On  the  return  of  breed- 
ing period,  many  of  our  warblers  and  finches  would 
stop  in  their  migrations,  and  spend  a  few  days  in  the 
heart  of  the  city.  Now,  even  on  its  outskirts,  the  merry 
chirp  and  agreeable  warble  are  seldom  heard." 

George  "Wills,  Esq.,  of  Germantown,  another  inform- 
ant, and  a  man  of  close  observation  and  reliability,  has 


94  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

devoted  considerable  attention  to  the  study  of  the  spar- 
row in  its  new  home.  He  remarks,  "  Its  insolent  bear- 
ing towards  our  native  birds,  whenever  the  latter  venture 
into  occupied  territories,  combined  with  its  lazy,  idolent 
habits  and  destructive  propensities,  should  be  a  sufficient 
inducement  for  the  authorities  to  rescind  the  laws  passed 
for  its  protection." 

Other  statements,  equally  as  forcible  and  positive, 
could  be  given,  until  the  accumulated  evidence  would 
cover  hundreds  of  pages  of  closely  printed  matter,  and 
all  from  persons  of  known  probity  who  occupy  high 
positions  in  this  community,  but  the  writer  must  forbear. 
Negativing  the  foregoing  assertions,  might  be  mentioned 
the  observations  of  Philip  Freas,  editor  of  the  "  German- 
town  Telegraph,"  a  weekly  paper  of  moderate  circula- 
tion), and  those  of  John  Bardsley,  Esq.,  to  whom  must 
be  attributed  the  honor  of  introducing  the  sparrows  into 
Philadelphia.  Mr.  Freas  has  taken  very  little  part  in 
the  discussion  of  the  sparrow-question,  but  what  he  has 
said  upon  the  subject  is  confined  to  a  small  article  which 
appeared  in  his  paper  a  few  years  ago.  His  remarks 
mostly  related  to  personal  observations  upon  his  own 
premises.  Substantially,  he  asserted  that  the  sparrows 
did  not  molest  or  interfere  in  any  way  with  our  native 
birds,  but  dwelt  upon  the  most  intimate  and  friendly 
terms  with  them,  sparrows,  robins,  and  bluebirds 
building  in  close  proximity  to  each  other.  Mr.  Bards- 
ley's  interest  in  the  sparrow  must  certainly  be  attri- 
buted to  the  part  which  he  played  in  its  introduction. 
It  is,  therefore,  but  natural  that  he  should  defend  it 
against  the  attacks  of  its  human  enemies.  Substantially, 
he  says  the  sparrow  is  not  more  pugnacious  than  many 
of  our  native  birds,  the  robin  for  example,  and  if  so,  it 


95 

is  mainly  when  actuated  by  amatory  influences.  Its  de- 
structive propensities  are  equalled,  if  not  surpassed,  by 
scores  of  indigenous  species.  It  has  certainly  done  much 
to  rid  our  squares  of  the  destructive  canker-worm  which 
made  such  terrible  havoc  upon  the  foliage  of  trees,  and 
will  continue  to  shower  its  blessings  upon  mankind 
wherever  it  shall  spread.  It  is  certainly  an  unmixed 
good. 

Having  adduced  considerable  evidence  both  for  and 
against  the  sparrow,  it  now  becomes  the  duty  of  the 
writer  to  weigh  the  matter  carefully,  thoughtfully,  and 
thoroughly,  and  to  assign  it  a  place,  according  as  its 
merits  or  demerits  warrant,  among  either  the  beneficial 
or  the  injurious  birds  of  this  country.  A  special  chapter 
will  therefore  be  devoted  to  the  consideration  of  this 
subject. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CONCLUDING  REMAKES. 

IN  Europe  the  sparrow  has  been  placed  by  eminent 
and  well-qualified  investigators  foremost  in  the  rank  of 
useful  birds.  When  it  has  been  exterminated,  it  has 
been  necessary  to  re-establish  and  foster  it  at  infinite 
trouble  and  expense.  Over  there  it  constitutes  part  and 
parcel  of  the  natural  economy  of  animal  life ;  it  has  its 
place,  and  fills  it. 

It  must  not  be  vainly  supposed  that  it  is  an  unmixed 
good.  Its  destruction  of  the  blossoms  and  fruits  of  trees, 
the  tender  flowers  of  herbaceous  plants,  and  the  ripened 
grain  in  rural  districts,  are  facts  too  well  known  to  be 
discredited,  or  passed  silently  by.  Few  writers  upon 
the  habits  of  this  species  seek  to  conceal  its  faults.  But 
the  destruction  which  it  commits,  although  on  a  sin- 

/  O 

gularly  grand  scale,  is  nevertheless  small,  according  to 
the  concurrent  testimony  of  reliable  authorities,  when 
contrasted  with  the  immense  benefits  which  accrue  to 
agriculturists  and  fruit-growers  in  the  destruction  of 
millions  of  noxious  insects  in  their  various  stages  of 
development. 

Judging  from  the  rapid  multiplication  of  the  species, 
which,  so  far  as  I  know,  is  unsurpassed  by  that  of 
any  other  species  of  the  Fringillidce,  it  might  be  sup- 
posed that  the  supply  of  insect  food  would  be  largely 
disproportionate  to  the  excessive  demand,  and,  conse- 


CONCLUDING    REMARKS.  97 

quently,  a  wholesale  destruction  of  the  farmer's  crops 
would  be  the  inevitable  result.  In  every  fauna  left  to 
itself,  or  but  slightly  disarranged  by  man,  "a  certain 
balance  of  forces  is  sooner  or  later  established  tending 

c^ 

to  the  co-ordination  and  subordination  of  various  forms 
of  animal  life." 

Every  species  has  a  natural  check  to  undue  multipli- 
cation. When  propagation  has  reached  a  certain  limit, 
farther  increase  is  stayed  by  natural  conditions.  Either 
the  supply  of  food  becomes  diminished  and  thousands 
perish,  the  stronger  alone  surviving  in  the  "  struggle 
for  existence,7'  or  else  the  overgrown  species  affords  an 
extra  allowance  of  food  to  its  natural  enemies  which 
have  waxed  powerful  enough  to  reduce  the  threatened 
numbers. 

In  America  the  birds  exist  under  unnatural  conditions. 
They  are  out  of  place.  Their  remarkable  increase  should 
not  excite  astonishment.  Other  instances  than  this 
could  be  cited  to  show  the  reaction  of  exotics  upon  the 
natural  species.  The  Norway  rat,  which  was  introduced 
into  this  country  many  years  ago,  is  destined  to  usurp 
the  place  of  our  native  species.  There  are  but  few 
localities  where  the  latter  exists.  Its  hardy  and  pugna- 
cious relative  from  the  north  of  Europe,  is  slowly  but 
surely  supplanting  it.  Among  plants,  the  white  weed 
has  overrun  the  entire  country,  and  choked  out  native 
vegetation.  Even  the  Indian,  who  once  inhabited  the 
whole  of  North  America,  is  fast  receding  before  the 
rapid  advances  of  the  energetic  European,  or  his  de- 
scendants. 

The  sparrow  is  rapidly  exterminating  the  native  song- 
sters and  insect-eating  birds  from  our  cities  and  large 
towns.  Even  in  many  rural  districts  the  same  condition 


98  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

of  affairs  has  been  unhappily  brought  about.  These 
disastrous  consequences  will  continue  to  follow  the 
diffusion  of  the  sparrows,  unless  means  for  prevention  are 
taken.  This  species  has  no  enemies,  and  consequently 
has  nothing  to  fear.  It  is  warmly  domiciled,  carefully 
fed,  and  sedulously  encouraged  to  multiply.  There  is 
no  natural  check  to  its  almost  unlimited  increase.  If 
allowed  to  shift  for  itself,  it  is  possible  that  the  dis- 
turbed harmony  might  be  re-adjusted  in  the  long  run, 
for  nature  is  full  of  resources  for  all  her  emergencies. 

"We  do  not  often  give  her  the  opportunity,  but  thwart 
and  baffle  her  with  the  most  determined  pertinacity. 
It  was  only  the  other  day  that  the  shrikes  (Collurio 
borealis)  made  their  appearance  upon  Boston  Common 
and  began  to  decimate  the  ranks  of  the  sparrows  a  little, 
when  a  crusade  was  instituted  against  them,  by  some 
person  or  persons  who  had  the  affair  at  his  or  their 
whimsical  command.  This  was  undoubtedly  the  first 
indication  of  a  natural  healthy  reaction  against  the 
sparrows  which  has  occurred,  but  it  was  most  fatui- 
tously  nipped  in  the  bud. 

What  would  be  the  result  if  the  sparrows  were 
permitted  to  brave  the  seasons  for  themselves,  and  to 
seek  their  own  subsistence  as  our  own  birds  are  com- 
pelled to  do,  it  is  difficult  to  imagine.  At  any  rate,  the 
special  fostering  of  these  birds  by  housing  and  victualling 
should  be  stopped.  Let  them  be  thrown  upon  their  own 
resources,  and  take  their  chances  with  our  smaller 
native  birds,  and  see  how  they  will  fare. 

Deprived  of  their  daily  allowances  in  the  heart  of 
large  cities,  where  there  is  a  scarcity  of  vegetable  food- 
stuffs, it  is  probable  that  insect  diet  would  be  appro- 
priated with  a  better  gusto.  Pressed  by  hunger,  and  in 


CONCLUDING    REMARKS.  99 

danger  of  starvation,  during  the  famine  winter  months 
every  nook  and  cranny  would  be  searched  for  the  lurk- 
ing beetle,  the  hidden  chrysalis,  and  the  tiny  egg.  The 
fissured  bark  of  trees  would  be  probed,  and  the  caitiffs 
within  drawn  from  their  resting-places  with  the  bill. 
"While  some  birds  would  remain  in  the  city,  amidst  the 
scenes  of  past  associations  and  pleasures,  the  greater  part 
would  doubtless  find  their  way  into  the  country,  where 
seeds  and  insects  are  more  plentiful.  The  happy  results. 
of  this  manner  of  treatment,  both  in  the  city  and  in  the 
country,  would  be  very  apparent,  on  the  return  of  the 
budding  season,  in  the  paucity  of  injurious  insects. 
Besides,  the  habit  of  self-maintenance  thus  formed 
would  continue  to  strengthen,  and  thousands  of  insects, 
during  the  seasons  when  these  creatures  run  riot,  would 
disappear  before  their  voracious  appetites.  As  an  oft- 
set  to  this,  it  might  be  argued  that  this  species  is  mainly 
granivorous,  and  consequently  would  do  little  towards 
holding  in  check  the  enemies  of  vegetation.  Example 
after  example  might  be  given  to  show  that  animals  of 
carnivorous  habits  readily  adapt  themselves  to  a  vege- 
table diet,  and  others  of  herbivorous  propensities,  quite 
as  easily  become  fitted  to  the  digestion  of  animal  food. 
Of  course  the  appetite  for  vegetable  diet  would  still  con- 
tinue amid  all  the  vicissitudes  of  life.  The  "  struggle 
for  existence,"  during  the  predominance  of  the  cold 
season,  would  act  with  telling  effect  upon  the  weaker 
portion  of  the  community,  the  more  powerful  alone  re- 
maining to  propagate  the  species  on  the  return  of  warm 
weather.  Flocking  to  the  country  in  quest  of  food,  they 
would  doubtless  become  a  prey  to  the  shrike,  which 
delights  in  rural  districts.  At  any  rate,  a  perceptible 
decrease  in  the  amount  of  injuries  committed  would  be 


100  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

apparent.  But  the  compensating  good  which  is  experi- 
enced in  Europe  could  never  be  attained,  therefore  it  is 
highly  probable  that  the  amount  of  good  accomplished 
would  be  more  than  balanced  by  the  evil  committed. 

On  the  introduction  of  the  sparrow  into  Philadelphia, 
which  was  about  the  time  when  nature  was  begin- 
ning to  swarm  with  insect  life,  being  a  stranger  in  a 
strange  land,  it  naturally  took  to  eating  indiscrimi- 
nately everything  that  came  within  its  reach.  Insects, 
especially  caterpillars  of  particular  kinds,  being  very 
plentiful,  and  easily  obtained,  fell  ready  victims  to  its 
rapacious  appetite.  Horse-dung  and  street  garbage 
eventually  carne  in  for  a  share  of  attention.  In  a  brief 
time,  on  account  of  the  eminent  services  which  they  had 
rendered  in  the  destruction  of  that  pest  of  vegetation, 
the  canker-worm,  this  little  creature  had  securely  estab- 
lished itself  in  the  public  affection.  Houses,  both  public 
and  private,  by  the  hundreds,  some  of  the  most  costly 
architecture,  began  to  appear  in  every  direction.  Chari- 
ties poured  in  upon  them  from  every  source,  and  the 
gullible  Philadelphia!!  soon  commenced  to  lavish  more 
than  usual  attention  upon  these  creatures  of  foreign  ex- 
traction. The  birds  often  fared  much  better  than  their 
poor  human  brethren.  These  fancied  "saviors  of  vege- 
tation" finally  became  well-housed  and  well-fed.  Their 
good  qualities  were  loudly  applauded,  and  the  law  was 
constrained  to  throw  around  them  its  aegis  of  protec- 
tion. 

But  a  change  soon  came  over  the  aspect  of  affairs. 
Too  much  pampering  had  engendered  a  spirit  of  laziness. 
Accustomed  to  an  easy  life,  the  birds  assembled  three 
times  a  day  to  receive  their  allowances  of  food.  The 
results  of  such  folly  soon  began  to  be  apparent.  The 


CONCLUDING    REMARKS.  101 

squares  became  alive  with  caterpillars.  The  rusty 
vaporer  crawled  everywhere.  Sparrows  were  never 
more  plentiful.  They  abandoned  their  carnivorous  pro- 
pensities, in  a  great  measure,  and  took  to  vegetable  diet 
with  a  cheerful  cbirp.  Their  rural  brethren  soon 
followed  suit.  The  sparrows  should  not  be  censured, 
for  they  merely  obeyed  the  instincts  of  their  nature. 
Necessity  compelled  them  to  insect  diet. 

In  the  spring,  when  plenty  reigns  supreme,  they  live 
at  their  ease,  and  in  the  most  luxurious  enjoyment.  I 
can  but  repeat  what  I  have  iterated  before.  They  are 
lazy  pilferers,  who  set  the  unwholesome  example  of 
consuming  what  they  do  not  earn.  They  should  be 
colonized  and  sent  back  to  England.  If  this  plan  is  not 
practicable,  take  away  from  them  the  protection  of  the 
law,  and  let  us  have  some  return  (we  can  never  expect 
an  equivalent)  for  the  losses  we  have  sustained.  In 
England  the  peasantry  are  paid  for  potting  them  into 
sparrow-pies.  Here  no  expense  need  be  incurred.  They 
can  be  made  a  source  of  revenue,  as  well  as  a  sustainer 
of  life. 

From  the  evidence  adduced  in  Chapters  II.  and  III., 
being  overwhelming  in  amount,  and  coming  as  it  does 
from  the  most  reliable  authorities,  there  can  be  little 
doubt  of  the  sparrow's  utter  uselessness.  The  testimony 
produced,  of  a  negative  character,  is  outweighed  in 
quadruple  proportion  by  that  upon  the  opposite  side. 
The  small  proportion  of  caterpillars  destroyed,  when 
contrasted  with  the  waste  and  destruction  of  grains, 
blossoms,  and  fruits  of  various  kinds,  without  reckoning 
the  indirect  injuries  perpetrated  in  the  expulsion  of 
scores  of  highly  insectivorous  native  species,  must  be 
apparent  to  every  one  who  has  given  its  history  a  careful 


102  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

and  considerate  attention.  This  nuisance,  this  destroyer 
of  vegetation  and  pest  of  human  society,  deserves  the 
censure  of  every  honest  and  right-thinking  individual, 
as  well  as  the  condemnation  of  the  law. 

A  few  remarks  upon  the  motives  which  prompted 
the  sparrow's  introduction  into  this  country,  and  also 
upon  the  propriety  of  such  a  course  of  action,  cannot  be 
deemed  inappropriate,  or  misplaced.  In  treating  this 
theme  I  must  necessarily  restrict  what  I  have  to  say  to 
facts  brought  within  the  sphere  of  personal  observation, 
although  other  fields  of  research,  outside  of  my  imme- 
diate circle  of  vision,  will  receive  considerable  attention. 

Let  us  now  ask  ourselves  the  question:  What  led  to 
the  sparrow's  introduction?  The  answer  thereto  must 
certainly  be  apparent  to  the  mind  of  every  one  who  has 
kept  his  eyes  open  to  his  surroundings.  For  years  ante- 
cedent to  this  event,  the  linden  and  other  trees  in  our 
public  squares  and  parks  had  been  sorely  infested  by  the 
span-worm,  and  other  caterpillars  of  near  and  remote 
affinities,  much  to  the  disgust  of  pedestrians,  and  to  the 
detriment  of  the  trees.  These,  particularly  the  former, 
had  multiplied  to  such  an  alarming  extent,  that  they 
had  become  a  downright  public  nuisance.  The  trees 
were  literally  filled  with  caterpillars,  and  thousands 
dangled  from  the  ends  of  long  silken  threads  into  the 
faces  of  passers-by,  or  crawled  their  ugly  lengths  upon 
the  forms  of  persons  of  delicate  feelings  and  refined 
tastes. 

In  the  midst  of  this  unhappy  state  of  things,  the  au- 
thorities, aroused  somewhat  from  the  lethargy  into 
which  they  had  fallen,  began  to  revolve  in  their  minds 
the  expediency  of  getting  rid  of  these  pests  and  destroy- 
ers, and  the  means  of  accomplishing  the  desired  object. 


CONCLUDIKG   REMARKS.  103 

The  experiment  of  introducing  the  sparrows  had  been 
tried  in  lSrew  York  City,  Boston,  and  elsewhere,  with 
marked  success.  The  ugly  caterpillars  had  fast  disap- 
peared before  the  inveterate  and  persistent  assaults  of 
these  courageous  creatures.  Nor  is  this  success  difficult 
of  explanation.  The  sparrows  were  in  a  strange  country, 
and  almost  entirely  ignorant  of  its  living  flora,  if  we 
except  a  few  plant-species  that  are  common  to  Europe 
and  America.  In  municipal  limits  this  diversity  in 
plant-life  is  very  conspicuous.  With  insect-life  it  is 
otherwise.  Almost  every  tree  lias  its  particular  occu- 
pants. While  some  afford  nourishment  to  but  a  single 
species,  others  yield  ample  food  for  a  dozen  or  more. 
The  Phalcenidce,to  which  our  numerous  species  of  span- 
worms  belong,  are  indiscriminate  feeders.  Hence,  their 
presence  in  unlimited  numbers  wherever  trees  flaunt 
their  foliage.  Those  who  have  studied  this  peculiar 
group  of  insects  in  their  larval  stages,  know  the  perfect 
facility  with  which  they  can  be  identified.  In  general 
structure,  the  closest  resemblance  obtains  between  spe- 
cies, however  remote  the  quarter  of  the  globe  in  which 
they  have  been  studied.  It  is  evident  from  the  above 
remarks  that  England  can  form  no  exception  to  the  rule. 

From  these  data,  we  reason  that  the  sparrows  were 
more  or  less  familiar  with  this  portion  of  our  insect- 
fauna,  and  consequently  manifested  no  fear  of  evil  con- 
sequences resulting  from  the  appropriation  of  such  diet. 
Hence  their  attacks  upon  the  canker-worm.  These 
assaults  would  be  the  more  vigorous  in  situations  where 
there  was  a  dearth  of  more  desirable  food.  Thrown 
upon  their  own  resources,  nothing  edible  would  be  likely 
to  escape  their  rapacity. 

Immense  hosts  of  insects  were  formerly  destroyed  by 


104  THE   HOUSE    SPARROW. 

these  birds  during  the  breeding-period,  for  the  benefit 
of  their  young.  There,  is  reason  to  believe  that  nowa- 
days the  supply  exceeds  the  demand.  This  is  readily 
accounted  for.  Familiarity  with  their  new  home  and 
its  immense  wealth  of  vegetable  productions,  has 
created  in  them  a  disgust  for  insects.  Necessity  alone 
drives  them  to  such  fare.  Their  wholesale  destruction 
of  the  creeping  caterpillar,  more  mobile  imago,  and  less 
active  chrysalis,  during  their  early  occupancy  of  this 
country,  may  be,  in  a  great  measure,  attributed  to  the 
scarcity  of  other  kinds  of  food,  or  to  ignorance  of  the 
edible  qualities  of  the  same. 

Perceiving  the  beneficial  effects  accomplished  by  these 
birds  in  other  cities,  is  it  at  all  surprising  that  the  Phi- 
ladelphian  should  see  in  them  the  saviors  of  vegetation, 
and  the  restorers  of  wonted  confidence  and  ruined  pleas- 
ure? Councils  were  besieged  by  men  of  influence  and 
wealth,  as  though  Nature  had  forgotten  us  in  her  distri- 
bution of  avian  existences,  and  the  stupid  blunder  was 
committed  of  introducing  these  proverbial  enemies  of 
mankind. 

Having  briefly  explained  the  motives  which  led  to  the 
commission  of  this  shameful  and  unconsidered  action,  a 
few  remarks  upon  the  propriety  of  so  doing  cannot  be 
deemed  amiss.  Were  the  sparrows  needed?  The  condi- 
tion of  the  squares  and  sidewalks  in  our  large  towns 
and  cities,  and  the  gradual  destruction  of  the  trees  by 
insect  pests,  plainly  spoke  that  something  should  be 
done,  and  that  speedily,  to  remedy  the  constantly  grow- 
ing evil.  Repeated  efforts  had  been  made  to  abate  the 
nuisance.  Scientific  men  had  been  appealed  to,  but 
their  suggestions  availed  nothing.  No  remedy  seeming 
likely  to  be  offered,  and  the  sparrow  apparently  accom- 


CONCLUDING    REMARKS.  105 

plishing  the  task  of  holding  the  enemy  in  check,  Phila- 
delphia could  do  no  more  than  follow  the  example  of 
her  sister  cities. 

A  little  knowledge,  a  little  forethought  as  well  as 
foresight,  would  have  gone  a  great  way  towards  solv- 
ing the  problem,  and  staying  those  proceedings  which 
have  caused  the  country  to  he  overrun  by  these  hardy, 
fearless  creatures,  which,  by  their  ravages,  are  consum- 
ing our  very  substance — a  thankless  return  for  the  many 
kindnesses  and  favors  which  they  have  received. 

If  our  native  species  had  been  as  carefully  nourished 
as  the  sparrows  have  been,  and  been  permitted  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  protection  of  man  by  building  unmo- 
lested in  close  proximity  to  his  dwelling  the  same  as 
they,  the  necessity  for  the  sparrows  would  not  have 
arisen.  The  law  owed  them  a  protection,  but  it  refused 
to  enforce  it.  If  they  took  up  their  abode  upon  man's 
domains,  their  homes  were  desecrated,  their  treasures 
destroyed  or  fearfully  mangled,  and  the  parents  them- 
selves inhumanly  sacrificed  for  no  other  cause  than 
daring  to  defend  their  rightful  property.  Everybody 
seemed  to  fancy  that  he  had  an  inborn  right  to  wage 
incessant  warfare  against  these  happy  creatures  of  the 
field  and  grove.  Farmers,  who  should  have  protected 
them  for  services  freely  bestowed,  became  their  most 
inveterate  persecutors.  The  active  kinglet,  the  warbling 
vireo,  and  the  sturdy  woodpecker,  in  their  frequent  visits 
to  the  blossoms  and  the  bark  of  trees,  for  the  insects 
and  larvae  that  lurked  insidiously  within,  had  been  mis- 
judged, and  made  to  pay  the  penalty  of  death  for 
their  cleverness.  This  was  undoubtedly  an  age  of  igno- 
rance and  superstition. 

But  times  have  changed.  By  the  light  of  science, 
8 


106  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

our  legislatures  no  longer  grope  in  darkness.  Wise  and 
healthy  laws  have  been  enacted  for  the  benefit  of  birds 
— those  saviors  of  vegetation.  And  what  has  been  the 
happy  effects?  These  joj'ous  creatures  have  forgotten 
their  shyness,  and  now  visit  our  yards  and  orchards,  and 
repay  our  goodness  by  the  destruction  of  myriads  of  ver- 
min. To  be  sure  they  take  a  juicy  berry  occasionally, 
but  then  the  vast  amount  of  good  which  they  accom- 
plish, largely  overbalances  the  mischief  committed. 

It  is  sufficiently  obvious  from  all  reports  that  a 
healthy  condition  of  things  is  being  produced  in  rural 
districts,  and  also  in  many  of  our  large  towns  and  cities 
that  have  not  had  their  harmony  disarranged  by  the 
much-to-be-detested  sparrow.  Had  the  city  authorities, 
in  laying  out  the  plans  of  our  large  cities,  reserved 
suitable  plots  of  ground  for  the  growth  of  shrubbery  and 
trees,  either  within  municipal  limits  or  largely  on  the 
outskirts,  these  spots  would  have  constituted,  in  course 
of  time,  available  building-places  for  many  of  our  smaller 
birds.  From  these  coverts,  as  friendly  relations  became 
established  with  their  human  brethren,  they  would 
emerge  to  glean  among  the  leaves  of  the  trees  which 
line  our  avenues,  and  occupy  our  lawns.  The  same 
object  would  undoubtedly  have  been  gained  had  suitable 
gardens  and  lawns  been  attached  to  private  as  well  as 
public  buildings,  and  adorned  with  a  profusion  of  vines 
and  shrubbery.  But  this  is  acting  on  the  presumption 
that  these  feathered  creatures  were  under  the  protection 
of  a  stern  and  impartial  law.  But  as  most  cities  are 
now  laid  out,  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  above  project  can 
never  be  satisfactorily  carried  into  execution.  As  at 
present  constituted,  few  native  species  could  be  found  to 
be  as  accommodating  as  the  sparrow.  The  robin,  blue- 


CONCLUDING   REMARKS.  107 

bird,  wren,  song  and  chipping  sparrows,  which  are  quite 
versatile  in  their  hahits,  would,  of  all  others,  be  the 
most  likely  to  succeed. 

If  cities,  like  Philadelphia  for  example,  that  had 
entailed  so  much  expense  in  providing  comfortable 
homes  for  the  squirrels,  which  certainly  were  of  little 
use  save  to  arnuse  children,  and  adults  who  had  nothing 
else  to  do  than  to  lounge  about  our  squares,  had  taken 
as  much  interest  in  many  of  our  smaller  insectivorous 
birds,  and  encouraged  their  presence  by  every  means 
that  wisdom  and  judgment  could  devise,  we  should 
to-day  not  be  pestered  by  these  disgusting  exotics, 
which  seem  destined  to  overspread  the  entire  country, 
and  drive  our  own  native  favorites  away. 

Westward  the  sparrows  are  slowly  but  surely  directing 
their  resistless  course,  like  a  baleful  pestilence,  sweeping 
everything  before  them,  and  leaving  only  ruin  in  their 
wake.  All  this  has  been  brought  about  in  less  than 
twelve  years.  What  another  decade  will  accomplish, 
if  these  saucy  knaves  are  permitted  to  go  on  as  they 
have  done,  I  do  not  venture  to  say.  Their  present 
depredations  and  odious  practices  give  us  a  foretaste  of 
what  their  future  course  of  action  will  be.  We  shall 
be  entirely  deserted  by  our  native-born  feathered  friends, 
and  what  of  grains  and  fruits  the  sparrows  do  not  take, 
will  certainly  be  destroyed  by  the  thousands  of  noxious 
insects,  in  their  various  developmental  stages,  which 
will  then  wantonly  run  riot.  This  will  be  the  inevi- 
table state  of  affairs.  The  trees  will  be  stripped  of  their 
foliage  even  before  they  have  flaunted  their  unfurled 
banners  to  the  vernal  breezes,  and  what  will  be  the 
result?  Despoiled  of  their  respiratory  organs,  their 


108  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

mechanism  will  be  cloo-o-ed,  and  a  long-  train  of  evils 

^)&  '  O 

follow,  ending  in  premature  death. 

The  writer  may  be  branded  as  a  scientific  zealot, 
carried  away  by  imaginary  fears.  Be  this  as  it  may; 
he  has  a  duty  to  perform,  and  manfully  must  he  fulfil 
it.  If  he  should  shrink  from  its  accomplishment, 
posterity  will  not  hold  him  guiltless.  Therefore,  he 
must  raise  a  voice  of  warning  before  the  evil  becomes 
so  deep-rooted  and  widespread  as  to  defy  man's  puny 
efforts  to  check  it.  He  is  no  alarmist,  but  generally 
sees  things  as  they  exist.  The  handwriting  upon  the 
wall  has  been  seen  and  recognized.  The  sparrows  have 
been  weighed  in  the  balance,  and  found  wanting.  Their 
sins  have  been  many  and  unpardonable.  They  will 
continue  to  increase  and  grow  with  each  succeeding 
year.  If  anything  is  done,  it  should  be  done  imme- 
diately. E~ow  is  the  opportune  moment.  N"ow  is  the 
day  of  salvation.  Let  the  law  cease  to  protect  them, 
and  then  let  every  one  who  has  the  good  of  his  land 
and  fellow-being  at  heart,  strike  till  the  last  foe  ex- 
pires. 

I  am  not  alone  in  these  opinions.  Others  have  lifted 
their  voices  in  condemnation  of  the  nuisance.  Abler 
men  have  discussed  the  uselessness  of  the  sparrow. 
From  every  portion  of  the  country  which  has  yet  been 
visited  by  these  birds,  we  hear  the  same  cry.  Those 
who  had  at  first  befriended  them,  now  clamor  for  their 
destruction.  He  who  has  kept  his  eyes  open  to  his 
natural  surroundings,  cannot  have  failed  to  notice  the 
impudence,  pugnacity,  rapacity,  and  destructiveness  of 
these  creatures.  But  how  few,  in  comparison  with  the 
countless  numbers  of  human  beings  who  inhabit  this 
continent,  give  the  study  of  natural  history  a  moment's 


CONCLUDING    REMARKS.  109 

consideration.  They  run  their  short  race  of  lite  and 
enter  the  unknown,  scarcely  a  whit  wiser  about  natural 
phenomena  than  when  they  came  into  existence.  They 
form  an  apt  illustration  of  that  class  of  beings  who  have 
eyes,  but  see  not.  Others,  again,  are  excellent  observers, 
but  their  minds  are  so  warped  by  various  prejudices 
and  prepossessions,  that  their  observations  are  unreliable 
and  \vorthless.  But  the  true  scientific  man  has  no 
predilections  to  sustain,  no  theories  to  save.  He  is  a 
lover  of  truth  for  her  own  sake.  The  goddess,  and  not 
the  altar  upon  which  she  sits  enthroned,  is,  or  ought  to 
be,  the  object  of  his  pious  reverence.  A  few  who  pass 
for  the  genuine  coin,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  are  attracted 
by  the  gorgeousness  of  the  shrine,  and  transfer  their 
homage  to  an  unsubstantial  pageant.  The  American  is 
behind  his  trans- Atlantic  brother  in  matters  of  natural 
science.  In  Europe  the  masses  are  trained  to  be  scien- 
tific observers.  She  has  her  scientific  schools  apart  from 
her  colleges  and  universities.  Even  her  grammar  schools 
are  practised  in  this  most  essential  branch  of  knowledge. 
Not  so  in  America.  In  our  colleges,  with  but  few 
exceptions,  other  studies,  the  ancient  languages  for  ex- 
ample, are  given  the  prominence.  Natural  history  holds 
a  subordinate  position.  Our  grammar  schools,  which 
have  mainly  to  do  with  the  masses,  are  too  much 
crammed  with  the  dry  details  of  geography  and  history, 
to  make  room  for  the  study  of  natural  phenomena.  Is 
it  a  wonder,  then,  that  the  average  American  should  be 
so  much  inferior  in  the  knowledge  of  such  matters  to 
the  average  European?  With  the  cultivation  of  the 
observant  and  reflective  faculties,  arises  this  difference, 
and  with  the  latter,  an  utter  dislike  for  the  humbler 
walks  of  literature.  The  imaginative  faculties,  from 


110  THE    HOUSE    SPARROW. 

lack  of  proper  nurture,  would  dwindle  to  reasonable 
proportions,  and  life  would  lose  much  of  its  poetry  and 
romance.  Consequently,  the  mind,  no  longer  clogged 
by  these  enervating  fetters,  would  grow  to  its  full 
stature,  and  life  be  brought  to  a  higher  and  nobler  plane. 
A  new  era  would  then  be  ushered  into  existence — the 
millennium  of  scientific  truth.  May  the  day  speed  on 
swiftest  pinions  which  will  inaugurate  this  felicitous 
change. 

Coming  back  from  this  digression  to  the  subject-mat- 
ter of  discussion,  the  disreputable  character  of  the  spar- 
row is  too  well  known  to  the  candid  and  unbiassed  ob- 
server, to  leave  in  his  mind  any  reasonable  doubt.  But 
if  my  readers  have  had  neither  the  leisure  nor  the 
patience  to  examine  into  its  life-history,  I  would  re- 
spectfully solicit  their  careful  perusal  and  earnest  con- 
sideration of  the  innumerable  facts  which  occur  in 
Chapter  II.,  and  also  of  the  corroborative  evidence  which 
is  largely  accumulated  in  the  succeeding  chapter.  If 
they  bring  to  the  task  a  mind  divested  of  preconceived 
opinions  and  national  prejudices,  they  cannot  help  yield- 
ing assent  to  the  following  facts,  which  the  writer  holds 
to  be  incontrovertible: — 

1.  That  in  all  localities  which  are  cursed  by  the  pre- 
sence of  sparrows,  indubitable  evidence  exists  of  their 
extreme  irritability  and  pugnacity. 

2.  That  our  smaller  native  species,  the  only  rightful 
tenants  of  the  soil,  which  have  always  been  adequate  to 
every  emergency  that  has  arisen,  except  in  localities  dis- 
arranged by  human  interference,  are  vigorously  assailed 
and  forced  to  flee  before  these  irascible  creatures. 

3.  That  in  situations  which  once  afforded  shelter  and 
security  to  many  of  our  insectivorous  birds,  the  noisy 


CONCLUDING    REMARKS.  Ill 

and  disagreeable  chatter  of  the  sparrow  is  heard  to  the 
exclusion  of  the  merry  chirp  and  agreeable  warble  of 
our  native  songsters. 

4.  That  its  extraordinary  salacity,  the  result  of  the 
overstimulated  life  which  it    leads,  "rises  to  the  dig- 
nity of  a  public  scandal." 

5.  That,  as  the  result  of  the  special  fostering  which 
these  birds  have  received,  and  are  receiving,  caterpillars 
are  at  a  heavy  discount,  and  blossoms,  cherries,  raspber- 
ries, strawberries,  and  grapes  are  eaten  with  a  better 
gusto. 

6.  That  when  a  sufficiency  of  boxes  is  not  provided 
for  nesting  purposes,  and  there  is  a  notable  scarcity  of 
ivied  walls  and  decayed  tree-hollows,  cornices,  window- 
caps,  brackets,  etc.,  are  selected,  and  the  nests  deposited 
generally  where  they  are  most  likely  to  be  seen. 

7.  That  in  such  localities  they  often  become  sources 
of  considerable  annoyance  on  account  of  their  turbu- 
lence and  droppings. 

8.  That  their  pilfering  propensities,  as  shown  by  their 
daily  raids  upon  the  poultry -yards  and  pigeon-cotes,  are 
unsurpassed  for  boldness  by  those  of  any  other  feathered 
species. 

9.  That   for   laziness    and    gluttony  they  stand    un- 
equalled, and  set  the  unwholesome  example  of  consum- 
ing what  they  do  not  earn. 

10.  That  their  grain-loving  appetites  frequently  lead 
them  into  fields  of  standing  and  fallen  wheat,  where 
they  commit,  in  many  localities,  untold  ravages  upon 
this  staple  sustainer  of  life,  amounting,  in  some  cases, 
to  thousands  of  dollars'  worth  of  loss. 


APPENDIX. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  THE  HOUSE  SPARROW. 


1400.  Skeat.    Lagland's  Piers  the  Plowman,  1400,  part  ii,  pp. 

xxi. 

1508.  Skelton.    The  boke  of  Phyllup  Sparrowe.  1508,  Ed.  Dyce  i,  p.  51. 
1525-1577.  The  Praise  of  Philip  Sparrowe,  1525-1577. 
1555.  Belon  Pierre,  du  Mans.     Du  Moineau  cle  ville.     L'Histoire  de 

la  Nature  des  Oyseaux,  chap,  xix,  pp.  361.     A  Paris,  1555. 
1555.  Belon,  P.  Le  Moineau,  Paisse  ou  Moisson.     L'Histoire  de  la 

Nature  des  Oiseaux,  avec  leurs  Descriptions  et  naifs  Portraits,  p. 

361.     Folio.     Paris,  1555. 
1585.  Gesner,  C.     Passer.     Gesner  de  Avium  Natura,  p.  643.     Folio. 

Francofurti,  1585. 
1610-1613.  Aldrovandi,  IT.     Passer.    Ornithologia,  ii,  p.  246.    Folio. 

Francofurti,  1610,  1613. 

1611.  Shakspeare,  W.     Philip  Sparrow.     King  John  i,  1,  1611. 
1622.  Olina,   Pietro.     Del  Fringuello  Uccelliera,  pi.  31.     In   Roma, 

1622. 
1674.  Ray,  J.     House  Sparrow  (P.  domesticus).     The  Ornithology  of 

Francis  Willoughby  of  Middleton  in  the  County  of  Warwick,  3 

vols.,  p.  249.     London,  1674. 
1676.  Raius,  Joannes.     P.  domesticus.     Francisci  Willoughbeii  De 

Middleton   in   Agro  Warwicensis,  Armigeri  E.  Regia  Societate 

Ornithologia3,  p.  182.     London,  1676. 
1678.  Ray,  John.     House  Sparrow  (P.  domesticus).    The  Ornithology 

of  F.   Willoughby  of  Middleton  in  the  County  of  Warwick,  3 

books,  p.  249.     London,  1678. 
1684.  Olina7  G  P.    Passera  nostrale.    Uccelliera  overo  Discorso  della 

Natura  e  Proprieta  di  diversi  Uccelli  e  in  particolare  di  que'  che 

Cantano,  p.  42.     Folio.     Paris,  1684. 
1706.  Anonymous.     Der   Hauszsperling.     Unterricht  was   mit   dem 

Lieblichcn  Geschopf  Denen  Vogel,  p.  41.     Freyhern,  1706. 
1733.  Raius,  J.    The  House  Sparrow.     Raii  Synopsis  method ica  Avi- 
um et  Piscium,  p.  86.     8vo.     London,  1713. 
1728.  Anonymous.     The  Sparrow.     The  Bird  Fancier's  Recreation, 

p.  52.     12mo.     London,  1728. 
1735.  Linnaeus,  C.     Fringilla  domestica.    Systema  Naturae,  i,  323,  36. 

1735. 


114  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1738.  Albin,  Eleazar.     P.  domesticus.     A  Natural  History  of  Birds. 

With  Notes  and  Observations  by  W.  Derham,  3  vols.,  vol.  i,  p.  59, 

pi.  62.     London,  1738. 
1743.   Anonymous.      The   Common   House   Sparrow.      Ornithologia 

Nova,  2  vols.,  vol.  2,  p.  223.     Birmingham,  1743. 
1750.  Derham,  W.     Le  Moineau  (P.  domesticus).     Histoire  Naturelle 

des  Oiseaux,  3  vols.,  4to.,  p.  54.     A  la  Haye,  1750. 
1750.  Albin.  E.     Le  Moineau.     Histoire  Naturelle  des  Oiseaux,  etc., 

p.  54,  pi.  62.     A  la  Haye,  1750. 
1754.  Jagdlust,  J.  M.     Der  Haussperling.     Grlindliclie  Anwersung 

alle  Arten  Vogel,  p.  302.     Nlirnberg,  1754. 
1756.  Jonstoni,  Joannis.      P.  domesticus.     Theatrum   universale   de 

Avibus  tabuli  duabus  et  Sexaginta,  etc.,  tab.  34.     Folio.     1756. 

1756.  Kramer,  Gulielmi,  H.     Hausspatz.      Elenchus  Vegetabilium  et 
Animalium  per  Austrian]  Inferiorem  observatorum,  p.  36.     8vo. 
Viennaa,  Praga?,  1756. 

1757.  Linnaei,  Caroli.     Fringilla  domestica.     Dissertatio  Academica 
Migrationes  Avium,  etc.,  p.  34.     1757. 

1760.  Brisson,  A.  D.     Passer  domesticus.     Ornithologie,    tomus  iii, 
p.  72.     1760. 

1761.  Linnaei,  Caroli.     Tatting.     Grasparf.     Fauna  Suecica,  sp.  242. 
8vo.     Holmine,  1761. 

1763.  Brisson,  A.  D.     Passer  domesticus.     Ornithologia  sive  Synopsis 
Methodica,  etc.,  2  vols.,  tome  i,  p.  327.  Lugdundi  Batavorum,  1763. 

1764.  Brunnich,  M.  Th.     Danis  Graae-Spurre.     Norveg.  Huus-Kald. 
M.  Th.  Brunnichii  Ornithologia  Borealis,  p.  264.     8vo.     Copen- 
hagen, 1764. 

1765.  Anonymous.     Moineau  franc  (P.  domesticus).     Encyclopedic, 
tome  10,  p.  618.     1765. 

1766.  Klein,  J.  T.     Haussperling.     Ova  Avium  Plurimarum,  tab.  ix, 
fig.  7.     Leipzig,  1766. 

1766.  Linnaeus,  C.     Fringilla  domestica.     Systema  Naturae,  12th  ed., 
p.  323.     1766. 

1767.  Manetti,  S.,  Lorenzi,  L.,  and  Vanni,  V.   Passer  domesticus  vul- 
garis.     Storia  degli  Uccelli  Ornithologia,  5  vols.,  tome  iii,  p.  340, 
plate.     Folio.     In  Firenze,  1767. 

1767.  Salerne,   M.     Le   Moineau   domestique.      Histoire   Naturelle 
eclaircie  dans  une  de  ses  parties  principalis  rOrnithologie,  etc., 
p.  264.     A  Paris,  1767. 

1768.  Bomare,   Y.  de.      Dictionnaire   raissonne   universel  d'histoire 
naturelle.    4to.     Paris,  1768. 

1773.  Jonston.     House  Sparrow.     Naturelle  et  raisonne'e  des  diflferens 
Oiseaux,  p.  36,  pi.  34.     Folio.     Paris,  1773. 

1774.  Buchoz.     Du  Moineau  Franc.     Les   Amusemens  Innocens,  p. 
282.     A  Paris,  1774. 

1776.  Pennant,  Thos.     House  Sparrow.     British  Zoology,  vol.  i,  p. 

338,  pi.  51.     London,  1776. 
1779.  Anonymous.     Moineau  franc  (P.   domesticus),   Encyclopedic, 

tome  xxii,  p.  69.     A  Geneve,  1779. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  315 

1779.  Breidenstein,  J.  P.  Der  Sperling.  Naturgeschichte  ties  Sper- 
lings teutscher  Nation,  p.  1.  Gicsen,  1779. 

1779.  Anonymous.  House  Sparrow.  Elementa  Ornithologica.  Editio 
secunda,  4to.,  tabola  53.  Ratisbona3,  1779. 

1781.  Gilij,  P.  A.  Passer  communis.  Agri  Romani  Historia  Natur- 
alis,  p.  99,  tab.  xvi.  Roma?,  1781. 

1781-1785.  Latham,  John.  House  Sparrow.  A  General  Synopsis  of 
Birds,  vol.  3,  pt.  i,  p.  248.  3  vols.,  each  in  two  parts.  London, 
1781-1785. 

1784.  Pennant,  Thos.  House  Sparrow.  Arctic  Zoology,  vol.  ii,  p. 
382.  London,  1784. 

1786.  Pennant,  T.  Le  Mohican  franc.  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Oiseaux, 
Par  le  Comte  de  Buffon  and  Les  Planches  enluminees  systemati- 
cally disposed,  p.  48.  London.  1786. 

1787-1801.  Latham,  John.  House  Sparrow.  Supplement  to  General 
Synopsis  of  Birds,  p.  163.  London,  1787-1801. 

1788.  Gmelin,  J.  F.     Systema  Naturae,  i,  p.  295,  1788. 

1789.  Schaeffer,  J.  C.     Passer  doinesticus.     Museum  Ornithologicum, 
p.  24.     Ratisbonae,  1789. 

1790.  Latham,  Joannis.     Fringilla  domestica.    Index  Ornithologicus, 
vol.  i,  p.  433.     London,  1790. 

1790.  Bonnaterre,  M.  1'Abbe.     Le  Moineau  franc.     Tableaux  Ency- 
clop6dique  et  Methodique  des  trois  Rkgnes  de  la  Nature  Ornitho- 
logie,  pi.  158.     A  Paris,  1790. 

1791.  Anonymous.     The  Common  House  Sparrow.     Entire  New  Sys- 
tem of  Ornithology,  pi.  3.     Folio.     London,  1791. 

1791.  Bomare,  Valmont  de.     Le  Moineau,  Dictionnaire.  1791. 

1792.  Beseke,  J.  M.  G.     Der  Sperling  (F.  domestica).  Beytrag  zur 
Naturgeschichte  der  Yogel  Kurlands,  etc.,  p.  80.  Mitau   und 
Leipzig,  1792. 

1794.  Sieniissen,  M.  A.  C.     Per  Sperling  (F.  domestica).   Ilandbuch 
zur  Systematischen  Kentnisz  der  Mecklenburgischen  Land-  und 
AVasservb'gel,  p.  122.     Rostock  und  Leipzig,  1794. 

1795.  Bulliard,    M.     Moineau.     Table    Alphabetique    des   Matieres, 
xxix.     Aviceptologie  Francaise.     A  Paris,  1795. 

1796-1801.  Lewin,  W.  House  Sparrow.  The  Birds  of  Great  Britain, 
systematically  arranged,  accurately  engraved  and  painted  from 
Nature,  etc.,  vol.  2,  p.  77.  8  vols.  1796-1801. 

1797.  Anonymous.  Fringilla  domestica.  Encyclopaedia  Britannica, 
vol.  vii,  p.  478.  Edinburgh,  1797. 

1797.  Heppe,  J.  0.     Der  Hausspcrling  (F.  domestica).     Der  Vb'gel- 
i'ang,  p.  387,  1st.  theil.     Niirnberg,  1797. 

1798.  Anonymous.     Fringilla  domestica.     Encyclopaedia;    or  a  Dic- 
tionary of   Arts,  Sciences,  etc.,  18  vols.,  4to.,  vol.  vii,  p.   476. 
Phila.,  1798. 

1802.    Montagu,    G.      Ornithological    Dictionary;    or    Alphabetical 

Synopsis  of  British  Birds.     London,  1802. 
1802.  Anonymous.    Fringilla  domestica.     Ornithological    Dictionary, 

vol.  ii.     2  vols.     London,  1802. 


116  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1803.  Anonymous.     Moineau  Franc  (F.  domestica).     Nonveau  Dic- 
tionaire  d'Histoire  Naturelle,  tome  xiv,  p.  569.     A  Paris,  1803. 

1804.  Mease,  Jas.     The  Common  or  Domestic  Sparrow.     The  Domes- 
tic Encyclopaedia,  vol.  iv,  p.  14.     Phila.,  1804. 

1805.  Bewick,  T.     Fringilla  domestica.     A  History  of  British  Birds, 
2  vols.,  vol.  i,  p.  158.     Newcastle,  1805. 

1805.  Orphal,  W.  C.     Der  Haussperling  (F.  domestica).      Ornitho- 
logisches  Handbuch,  p.  103.     Erfurt,  1805. 

1806.  Anonymous.     Le  Moineau  Franc  (F.  domestica).      Tableaux 
Elementaire  d'Ornithologie,  p.  171,  tome  premiere.      A  Paris, 
1806. 

1806.  Guillemeau,  J.  L.  Fringilla  domestica.  Essai  sur  1'Histoire 
Naturelle  des  Oiseaux  du  Departement  des  Deux-Sevres,  p.  90. 
A  Niort,  1806. 

1809.  Lathami,  Johannis.  Fringilla  domestica.  Systema  Ornitho- 
logist Parisiis,  1809. 

1809.  Anonymous.     Sparrows.     Anecdotes  of  Birds,  p.  51.     London, 
1809. 

1810.  Wolf  und  Meyer.     Fringilla  domestica.     Taschenbuch  der  deut- 
schen  Vogelkunde.  2  vols.,  8vo.,  p.  136.     Frankfurt,  1810. 

1811.  Mouton-Fontenille,    M.    J.    P.      Fringilla   domestica.      Traite 
Elementaire  d'Ornithologie,  2  vols.,  vol.  ii,  p.   412.     A  Lyons, 
1811. 

1811.  Latham,  J.     Hausfink  (F.  domestica).     Allgemeine  Uebersicht 

der  Vbgel.     N  urn  berg,  1811. 
1813.  Montagu,  G.     House  Sparrow.     Supplement  to  Ornithological 

Dictionary.     1813. 
1815.  Meyer,   B.   Kurze.      Fringilla   domestica.      Beschreibung   der 

Vb'gel  Liv-  und  Esthlands.  p.  84.     Niirnberg,  1815. 
1815.  Meisner,  F.     Fringilla  domestica.     Die  Vb'gel  der  Schweiz,  p. 

74.     Zurich,  1815. 
1815.  Shaw,  Geo.     House  Finch  (F.  domestica).     General  Zoology, 

or  Systematic  Natural  History,  p.  429.     1815. 
1815.    Temminck,    0.    J.     Moineau   franc    (F.   domestica).      Manuel 

d'Ornithologie,  p.  210.     Amsterdam,  1815. 
1817.  Sonini.     Dictionnaire  d'Histoire  Naturelle.     1817. 
1817.  Frisch,  F.  L.     Fringilla  domestica.     Vorstellung  der  Yogel  in 

Deutschland,  tabula  8.     Folio.     Berlin,  1817. 
1817.  Nilsson,  Sv.     Fringilla  domestica.     Ornithologia     Suecica,    2 

vols.,  vol.  i,  p.  140.     Havnia3,  1817. 
1817.  Forster,  Thomas.    Passer  domesticus.   A  Synoptical  Catalogue 

of  British  Birds,  p.  52.     London,  1817. 

1819.  Schinz,  H.  E.     Haussperling  (F.  domestica).     Beschreibung 
und  Abbildung  der  Kiinstlichen  Nester  und  Eier  der  Vb'gel  welche 
in  der  Schweiz,  4to.,  p.  93.     Zurich.  1819. 

1820.  Atkinson,  John.     Fringilla  domestica.     A  Compendium  of  the 
Ornithology  of  Great  Britain,  8vo.,  p.  65.     London,  1820. 

1821.  Graves,  George.      Fringilla  domestica.     British  Ornithology, 
3  vols.,  vol.  iii.     London,  1821. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  117 

1822.  Fleming,  J.     Philosophy  of  Zoology  ;  or,  a  General  View  of  the 
Structure,  Function,  and  Classification  of  Animals,  2  vols.,  8vo. 
Edinburgh,  1822. 

1823.  Brehm,  0.  L.     Fringilla  domestica.     Lchrbuch  der  Naturges- 
chichte  aller  Europaischen  Vogel,   2  vols.,  8vo.,  vol.  i,   p.  182. 
Jena,  1813. 

1825.  Goldsmith,  Oliver.     The  House  Sparrow.     A  History  of  the 

Earth  and  Animated  Nature,  5  vols.,  vol.  iii,  p.  385.     Philadel- 
phia, 1825. 
1825.  Koux,  Polydore.     La  Fringille  moincau  (F.  domestica).     Or- 

nithologie  Provencale,  3  vols.,  p.  129.     A  Paris — A  Marseille, 

1825. 
1825.  Thienemann,  F.  A.  L.     Der  Haussperling  (F.  domestica).    Sys- 

tematische  Darstellung  der  Fortpflanzung  der  Vogel  Europa's,  p. 

35.     Leipzig,  1825. 
1828.  Naumann,  J.  G.     Fringilla  domestica.    Allgemeine  Uebersicht 

der  Lansitz'-schen  Haus-,  Land-,  und  Wasservogel,  p.  76.     Gor- 

litz,  1828. 
1828.  Buhle,  C.  A.   Fringilla  domestica.   Die  Eier  der  Vogel  Deutsch- 

lands,  taf.  ix.     Halle,  1828. 
1828.   Jennings,  Jas.     Fringilla  domestica.     Ornithologia,    pp.   279, 

280.     London,  1828. 

1828.  Bonjour,  Ph.     Fringilla  domestica.     Catalogue  d'Oiseaux  In- 
digenes et  etrangers,  p.  10.     Paris,  1828. 

1829.  Savi,  Paoli.    Passer  domesticus.    Ornithologia  Toscana,  3  vols., 
p.  100,  tomo  secondo.     Pisa,  1829. 

1829.  Kiocour,  M.  Le  Comte   de.     Fringilla   domestica.     Catalogue 

des  Oiseaux,  p.  11.     Nancy,  1829. 
1829.  Cuvier,  G.     Pyrgita  domestica.     Le  Regne  Animal,  2d  ed.,  i, 

p..  439.     1829. 
1829.  Canalli,  L.     Fringilla  domestica.     Yerzeichnisz  der  Ornitholo- 

gischen  Samrnlung,  p.  14.     Darmstadt,  1829. 

1829.  Anonymous.     The  Common  Sparrow.     The  Journal  of  a  Natu- 
ralist, p.  215.     London,  1829. 

1830.  Kresz,  C.     Du   Moineau   franc.     Aviceptologie   Franyaise,  p. 
222.     A  Paris,  1830. 

1831.  Brehm,  C.  L.     Pyrgitrc  domestica.     Handbuch  der  Naturges- 
chichte  aller  Vogel  Deutschlands,  p.  264.     Ilmcnau,  1831. 

1831.  Montagu,  G.  Passer  domesticus.  Ornithological  Dictionary  of 
British  Birds.  2d  edition  by  Jas.  Rennie,  p.  481.  London,  1831. 

1831.  Lesson,  R.  R.  Moineau.  Traite  d'Ornithologie,  pi.  62.  Paris, 
1831. 

1831.  Anonymous.    House  Sparrrow  (P.  domesticus).     The  Architec- 
ture of  Birds,  p.  333.     London,  1831. 

1832.  White,  Gilbert.     The  Sparrow.    The  Natural  History  of  Sel- 
borne,  p.  129.     Philadelphia,  1832. 

1832.  Demezil,  Le  Docteur.  Fringilla  domestica.  Ornithologie  ou 
Histoire  Naturelle  des  Oiseaux.  Premiere  Partie,  p.  6.  Paris, 
1832. 


118  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1832.  Lieber,  F.,  Wigglesworth,  E.,  Bradford,  T.  G.     The  Common 
European  Sparrow.      Encyclopedia  Americana,  vol.  xi,  p.  594. 
Phila.,  1832. 

1833.  Selby,  John  Prideaux.    Illustrations  of  British  Ornithology,  vol. 
1,  p.  298.     1833. 

1833.  Anonymous.  Sparrow.  The  Domestic  Habits  of  Birds,  p. 
216.  London,  1833. 

1833.  Simon,  M.  Le  Moinean  franc.  Mus6e  du  Naturaliste  dedie  a 
la  Jeunesse  Histoire  des  Oiseaux,  p.  21.  Paris,  1833. 

1833.  Selby,  J.  P.  Passer  domesticus.  Illustrations  of  British  Orni- 
thology, 2  vols.,  p.  27,  vol.  i.  Edinburgh,  1833. 

1833.  Slaney,  Robt.  A.  The  Sparrow.  An  Outline  of  the  Smaller 
British  Birds,  2d  edition,  p.  90.  London,  1833. 

1833.  Abbott,  G.  D.  The  Sparrow.  Scripture  Natural  History,  p. 
145.  First  American  Edition.  Boston,  1833. 

1833.  Jesse,  Edward.     Common  House  Sparrow.    Gleanings  of  Natu- 
ral History,  p.  70.     Phila  ,  1833. 

1834.  Mudie,  Robert.     The  Feathered  Tribes  of  the  British  Islands, 
vol.  ii,  p.  33.     1834. 

1834.  Land  beck,  C.  L.  Haussperlinge  (Pyrgita  domestica).  Sys- 
tematische  Aufzahlung  der  Vogel  Wurtembergs,  p.  30.  Stuttgart 
und  Tubingen.  1834. 

1834.  Gloger,  C.  L.     Fringilla  domestica.     Vollstandiges  Handbuch 
Naturgeschichte  der  Vogel  Eurupa's,  8vo.,p.  52.     Breslau,  1834. 

1835.  Anonymous.  Passer  domesticus.    The  Faculties  of  Birds,  3  vols., 
vol.  iii.     London,  1835. 

1835.  Anonymous.  Pyrgita  domestica.  An  Introduction  to  the 
Study  of  Birds,  p.  211.  London,  1835. 

1835.  Baker,  T.  13.  L.  Fringilla  domestica.  An  Ornithological  In- 
dex, p.  71.  London,  1835. 

1835.  Hahn,O.W.  Der  Haussperling  (Passer  domesticus.)  Deutsch- 
lands  Vogel,  8vo.,  tatel  59«.  NUrnberg.  1835. 

1835.  Anonymous.  Common  Sparrow  (Pyrgita  domestica).  An  In- 
troduction to  the  Study  of  Birds,  p.  211.  London,  1835. 

1835.  Anonymous.  Passer  domesticus.  The  Faculties  of  Birds,  p. 
185.  London,  1835. 

1835.  Kielsen,  F.  C.  Fringilla  domestica.  Icones  Avium-Indicem 
Systematicum  addidit,  tab.  ro,  fig.  1.  Hafnia?,  1835. 

1835.  Walchner,  H.  Hausfink  (F.  domestica).  Beitrage  zur  Orni- 
thologie  des  Boden-seebeckens,  p.  45.  Karlsruhe,  1835. 

1835.  Stanley,  E.  Sparrow.  A  Familiar  History  of  Birds,  p.  18,  vol. 
ii,  2  vols.  London,  1835. 

1835.  Temminck,  C.  J.     Gros  Bee  Moineau  (F.  domestica).     Manuel 
d'Ornithologie.     Troisieme  Parte,  p.  25(5.     A  Paris,  1835. 

1836.  Darracq,  Mr.     Gros  Bee  Moineau  (F.  domestica).     Catalogue 
des  Oiseaux  du  departement  des  Landes  et  des  Pyrenees  occiden- 
talis,  p.  29.     A  Bordeaux,  1836. 

1836.  Wood,  Neville.  Passer  domesticus.  The  Ornithologist's  Text- 
Book,  p.  224.  London,  1836. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  119 

1837.  Brehm,  C.  L.    Pyrgita  domestica.    Handbuch  flir  die  Liebhaber 

der  Stuben-  Haus-  und  abcr  der  Zahmung  werthen  Vogel.     8vo., 

p.  336.     llmenau,  1837. 
1837.     Dunn,  Robt.     Passer  domesticus.     The  Ornithologist's  Guide 

to  the  Islands  of  Orkney  and  Shetland,  p.  80.     London,  1837. 
1837.  Macgillivray,  Wm.     Passer  domesticus.     A  History  of  British 

Birds,  5  vols.,  vol.  1,  p.  340.     London,  1837-1852. 
1837.  Argent.  Jas.     Passer  domesticus.     A  Nomenclature  of  British 

Birds.     London,  1837. 
1837.  Homeyer,  E.  F.  von.     Der  Haussperling  (Pyrgita  domestica). 

Systernatische  Uebersicht  der  Vogel  Pomrnerus,  etc.,  p.  43.     An- 

clam,  1837. 
1837-1853.  Zander,  H.  D.  F.    Der  Haussperling  (Pyrgita  domestica). 

Naturgeschichte  der  Vogel  Mecklenburgs,  p.  55(5.    Wismar,  1837- 

1853. 
1837.  Schilling  und  Hornschuch.      Der  Haussperling.     Verzeiehnisz 

der  in  Pom.  vorkon.  Vogel,  p.  9.     Greifswald,  1«37. 

1837.  Gould,  J.     Pyrgita  domestica.     The  Birds  of  Europe,  vol.  iii, 
p.  194.     London,  1837. 

183-7.  Anonymous.  House  Sparrow.  The  Journal  of  a  Naturalist. 
Phila.,  1837. 

1838.  Bonaparte,  C.  L.     Pyrgita  domestica.      A  Geographical  and 
Comparative  List  of  the  Birds  of  Europe  and  North  America,  p. 
31.     London,  1838. 

1839.  Argent,  Jas.     Passer  domesticus.     A  Nomenclature  of  British 
Birds.     London,  1839. 

1839.  Korner,  M.     Grasfink  (F.  domestica) .     Skandinaviska  Foglar, 
taf.  25.     Lund,  1839-1846. 

1840.  Berge,F.    Fringilla  domestica.    Die  Fortpflanzung  Europaischer 
und  aussereuropaischer  Vo'gel,  etc.,  2  vols.,  12mo.,  seite  00,  taf. 
70,  figs.  9,  10,  11,  12.     Stuttgart,  1840. 

1840.  Macgillivray,  Wm.  Passer  domesticus.  Manual  of  British  Or- 
nithology. Land  Birds.  2  Parts,  part  L,  p.  205.  London,  1840. 

1840.  Durazzo,  Carlo.  Pyrgita  domestica.  Degli  Uccelli  Liguri 
Notizie,  etc.  Genova,  1840. 

1840.  Manduyt,  M.  Le  Moineau  (F.  domestica).  Tableau  metho- 
dique  des  Oiseaux,  p.  53.  1840. 

1840.  Selby,  J.  P.  Pyrgita  domestica.  Catalogue  of  the  Generic 
and  Subgeneric  Types  of  the  Class  Aves,  p.  22.  Newcastle, 
1840. 

1840.  Crespon,  J.  C.     Gros  Bee  Moineau  (F.   domestica).     Ornitho- 
logie  du  Gard  et  des  Pays  circonvoisins,  8vo.,  p.  244.     Nismes, 
1840. 

1841.  Gray,  Geo.  R.     Passer  domesticus.     A  List  of  the  Genera  of 
Birds,  2d  Edition,  p.  60.     London,  1841. 

1841.  Chesnon,  C.  G.     Gros  Bee  Moineau  (F.  domestica).     Catal.  des 
Oiseaux  de  la  Normandie,  p.  81.     Bayeaux,  1841. 

1842.  Reichenbach,  H.   G.  L.      Fringilla   domestica.     Deutschlands 
Fauna.     2er.  Theil,  Die  Vogel,  8vo.,  p.  104.     Leipzig,  Ib42. 


120  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1842.  Murs,  0.  des.  Fringilla  domestica.  Ova  Avium  Plurimarum, 
p.  13.  Paris,  1842. 

1842.  Bonaparte,  Carlo  L.     Pyrgita  domestica.     Catalogo  Metodigo 
degli  Uccelli  Europei,  p.  47.     Bologna,  1842. 

1843.  Monti,  M.     Fringilla  domestica.      Catalogo  E.  Notizie   Com- 
pendiose  Degli  Uccelli,  p.  24.     Como,  1843. 

1843.  Yarrell,  "VVm.  Fringilla  domestica.  A  History  of  British 
Birds,  3  vols  ,  vol.  i,  p.  474.  London,  1843. 

1843.  Bouteille,  Hippolyte.  Gros-Bec  Moineau  (F.  domestica).  Or- 
nithologie  du  Dauphine,  tome  prem.,  p.  338,  pi.  54,  fig.  2.  Gre- 
noble, 1843. 

1843.  Canivet,  E.     Gros-Bec   Moineau  (Fr.  domestica).     Catalogue 
des  Oiseaux  Departemeut  de  la  Manche,  p.  15.     A  Paris,  1843. 

1844..  Moranville,  L.  S.  von.  Fringilla  domestica.  Die  Vogel  Eu- 
ropa's,  p.  17.  Wien,  1844. 

1844.  der  Miihle,  Heinrich  Graf,  von.     Passer  domesticus.     Beitrage 
zur  Ornithologie  Griechenlands,  p.  144.     Leipzig,  1844. 

1844.  Eennie,  Jas.  Passer  domesticus.  Bird  Architecture,  p.  11. 
London,  1844. 

1844.  Tyzenhauza,  Hr.  Konslandego.     Luszczah  Wr6bel  (F.  domes- 
tica).    Ornitologia  Powszechna  czyli  opisanie  Ptakow,  tome  2, 
p.  118.     Wilno,  1844. 

1845.  Ruppell,    Dr.   Edouard.      Passer    domesticus.     Systematische 
Uebersicht  der  Vogel  Nord-Ost  Afrika's,  p.  78.     Frankfurt,  1845. 

1845-1854.  Thienemann,  F.  A.  L.  Der  Hausfink-Sperling  (F.  domes- 
tica). Einhundert  Tafeln  Colorirter  Abbildunger  von  Vogel- 
eiern,  etc.,  p.  424.  1845-1854. 

1845.  Siedhof,  C.  F.  "W.      Der  Haussperling   (Pyrgita  domestica). 
Naturgeschichte  der  Stubenvogel  Deutschlands,  p.  296.     Braun- 
schweig, 1845. 

1846.  Anonymous.     Passer    domesticus.     Coloured   Illustrations   of 
British  Birds,  p.  69,  pi.  104,  vol.  iii.     London,  1846. 

1847.  Willibald,  Dr.  C.      Haussperling   (Passer   domesticus).      Die 
Yogel  Deutschlands,  p.  87.     Nordhausen,  1847. 

1847.  Rennie,  Jas.     Passer   domesticus.     Bird   Miscellanies,   p.   12. 
London,  1847. 

1848.  Temminck,  C.  J.     Gros-Bec  Moineau  (F.  domestica).     Les  Oi- 
seaux d'Europe.     Plate.     Tome  premier.     A  Paris,  1848. 

1849.  Thompson,  Wm.     The  House  Sparrow  (P.  domesticus).     The 
Natural  History  of  Ireland,  3  vols.,  vol.  i,  p.  251.     London,  1849. 

1849.  Friderich,  C.  G.  Fringilla  domestica.  Naturgeschichte  aller 
deutschen  Zimmer-  Haus-  und  Jagdvogel,  8vo.,  p.  279.  Stuttgart, 
1849. 

1849.  Knox,  A.  E.  House  Sparrow  (P.  domesticus).  Ornithological 
Rambles  in  Sussex,  p.  201.  London,  1849. 

1849.  Degland,  C.  D.  Moineau  domestique  (P.  domesticus).  Orni- 
thologie Europecnne,  tome  deuxieme,  p.  204.  A  Paris.  A  Lille, 
1849. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  121 

1850.  Bonaparte,  Carolo  Luciana.     Fringilla  domestica.     Conspectus 

Generum  Avium,  p.  509.     1850. 
1850.  Cabanis.  Dr.  Jean.     Passer  domesticus.     Museum  Ileineanum, 

p.  155.     Halberstadt,  1850-1851. 
1850.    De  Selys   Longchamps,  A.  M.      Passer  domesticus.      Revne 

critique  do  1'Ornithologie  Kuropeene  de  le  Docteur  Degland  (De 

Lille)  par  Chas.  Lucien  Bonaparte,  p.  167.     Bruxelles,  1850. 

1850.  Anonymous.     House  Sparrow.     The  Journal  of  a  Naturalist, 
p.  122.     Phila.,  1850. 

1851.  Adams,  H.  G.    Common  House  Sparrow  (P.  domestica).    Favor- 
ite Song  Birds,  p.  187.     London,  1851. 

1851.  Kjsebolling,  N.     Fringilla  domestica.     Ornitholog-iaDanica.pl. 
26.     Kjobenhavn,  1851. 

1852.  Morris,  F.  O.    Passer  domesticus.     A  History  of  British  Birds, 
6  vols.,  vol.  ii,  p.  266.     London,  1852. 

1852.  Kjasbolling,   N.      Hausspurven    (F.   domestica).      Danmarks 
Fugle,  p.  207.     Kjobenhavn,  1852. 

1853.  Mudie,  R.     P.  domestica.     The  Feathered  Tribes  of  the  British 
Islands,  2  vols.,  vol.  ii,  p.  37.     London,  1853. 

1853.  Wood,  J.  G.     Passer  domesticus.      The   Illustrated   Natural 
History,  p.  289.     N.  Y.,  1853. 

1854.  Liechtenstein.     Pyrgita  domestica.     Nomenclator  Avium  Musei 
Zoologici  Berolinensis,  p.  47.     Berlin.  1854. 

1855.  Gray,  G.  R.     Fringilla  domestica.     Catalogue  of  the  Genera 
and  Subgenera  of  Birds  contained  in  the  British  Museum,  p.  7H. 
London,  1855. 

1856.  Anonymous.     The  Sparrow.     Illustrated  Anecdotes  of  Animal 
Kingdom,  p.  281.     Boston,  1856. 

1857.  Dubois,  Ch.  F.      Moineau    Domestique    (Passer   domesticus). 
Planches  Color,  des  Oiseaux  de  la  Belgique,  3  vols.,  tomus  ii,  p. 
113.     Bruxelles,  1857. 

1860.  Murs,  0.  des.     Passer  domesticus      Traite  d'Oologie  Ornitholo- 

gique,  pp.  85,  86,  93,  101,  326.     Paris,  I860. 
1860.    Schlegel,  H.     Fringilla  domestica.     Die   Dieren  Van    Neder- 

land,  eefste  Deel,  p.  120.     Haarlem.  1860. 

1860.  Lindemayer,   Dr.   Hitter  A.     Passer  domesticus.      Die   Yiigel 
Griechenlands,  p.  57.     Passau,  1860. 

1861.  Bulletin  Mensuel  de  la  Societe  Protectrice  des  Animaux.    18(11. 

1862.  Johns,  Rev.  C.  A.     Passer  domesticus.     British  Birds  in  their 
Haunts,  p.  201.     London,  1862. 

1863.  Bree,  C.  R.     Passer  domesticus.     A  History  of  the  Birds  of 
Europe,  4  vols.,  vol.  iv,  p.  231.     London,  1863. 

1863.  Jordon,  T.  C.     Passer  domesticus.     The  Birds  of  India,  3  vols., 
vol.  ii,  p.  262.     Calcutta,  1863. 

1863.  Sundevall,  C.  J.     Die  Thiere  Aristoteles  von  den  Klassen  der 
Saugethiere,   Vogel,    Reptilien    und    Insecten.      Uebersetzt   aus 
dem  Schwedischen,  12mo.     Stockholm,  1863. 

1864.  Wood,  Rev.  J.  G.      Passer  domesticus.      Illustrated  Natural 
History,  3  vols.,  p.  473.     London,  18G4. 

9 


t 
122  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1864.  Scblegel,  H.     Fringilla  domestica.     Die  Dieren  Van    Neder- 
land,  p.  120.     Haarlem.  1864. 

1865.  Goodrich,  S.  G.     Passer  domesticus.     Illustrated  Natural  His- 
tory of  the  Animal  Kingdom,  2  vols.,  p.  162,  vol.  ii.     New  York. 
1865. 

1865.  Ruschenberger,  W.  S.  W.  The  Common  Sparrow  (F.  domes- 
tica). Elements  of  Natural  History,  p.  61,  book  iii.  Phila. 
1865. 

1865.  Stanley.  E.     London  Sparrow.     A  Familiar  History  of  Birds, 
p.  224.     London,  1865. 

1866.  Harting,  Jas.  E.     Fringilla  domestica.     The  Birds  of  Middle- 
sex, p.  82.     London,  1866. 

1866.  Stevenson,  H.     Passer  domesticus.     Birds  of  Norfolk,  2  vols., 

p.  209,  vol.  i.     London,  1866. 
1866.  Newman,  E.     House  Sparrow.     A  Dictionary  of  British  Birds. 

p.  320.     London,  1866. 
1866.  Owen,  R.    Generative  System  of  Birds.    House  Sparrow.    The 

Anatomy  of  Vertebrates,  Birds,  and  Mammals,  vol.  ii,  chap.  215, 

p.  243.     London,  1866. 
1866.  Wood,  J.  G.    Sparrow  (P.  domesticus).   Homes  Without  Hands, 

p.  495.     N.  Y.,  1866. 

1866.  Rebau,   H.     Der  Haussperling  (Pyrgita  domestica).      Natur- 
geschichte  fiir  Schule  und  Haus,  p.  407.     Stuttgart,  1866. 

1867.  Lawrence,  Geo.  N.     Annals  Lyceum  Natural  History,  vol.  viii. 
1867. 

1867.  Anonymous.     Proclamation  Boston  Society,  p.  151.     1867. 

1867.  Watson,  J.  S.     Robins  and  other  Small  Birds.     The  Reasoning 
Power  of  Animals,  chap.  32,  p.  365.     London,  1867. 

1868.  Brewer,  T.  M.     Proclamation  Boston  Society,  p.  389.     1868. 
1868.  Anonymous.     Proclamation  Essex  Institute,  p.  283.     1868. 
1868.  Anonymous.     White  Sparrow.     The  Naturalist's  Note  Book, 

p.  62.     London,  1868. 

1868.  Anonymous.     The  European    House  Sparrow.     The  Atlantic 
Monthly,  vol.  xxi,  no.  127,  p.  583.     Boston,  1868. 

1869.  Figuier,  Louis.     Passer  domesticus.     Reptiles  and  Birds,  8vo., 
p.  518.     London,  1869. 

1869.  Allen,  J.  A.     P.  domestica.    Notes  on  some  of  the  Rarer  Birds 

of  Mass.     American  Naturalist,  vol.  ii,  p.  647.     Salem,  1869. 
1869.  Elliott,  D.  G.     Passer  domesticus.     Birds  of   North  America, 

p.  12.     New  York,  1869. 
1869.  Take  Care  of  the  Birds.     Public  Ledger  and  Daily  Transcript. 

Phila.,  1869. 

1869.  The  Sparrow  in  America.     The  Times.     London,  1869. 
1869.  One  Thousands  Sparrows  Shipped.    The  Times.    London.  1869. 
1869.  Forney,  J.  W.     The  Sparrows.     The  Weekly  Press.     Phila., 

1869. 

1869.  Forney,  J.  W.     Sparrows.     The  Press.     Philadelphia,  1869. 

1870.  Gray,  Geo.  R.     Passer  domesticus.     Hand-list  of  Genera  and 
Species  of  Birds,  3  pts.,  part  ii,  p.  85.     London,  1870. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  123 

1870.  Worcester,  J.  E.  Dictionary  of  the  English  Language,  p. 
1381.  Boston,  1870. 

1870.  Anonymous.     Town  Sparrows.     Natural  History  of  Birds,  etc., 
p.  122.     New  York,  1870. 

1871.  Newton,  Alfred.    House  Sparrows  (P.  domesticus).    A  History 
of  British    Birds.     Wm.   Yarrell.      4th   revised   edition,  p.   81). 
London,  1871. 

1871.  An  Old  Bushman.  Fringilla  domestica.  A  Spring  and  Sum- 
mer in  Lapland,  p.  297.  London,  1871. 

1871.  Dubois,  Alph.  Passer  domesticus.  Conspectus  Systematicus 
and  Geographicus  Aviurn  Europaearum,  p.  17.  Bruxelles,  1871. 

1871.  Gray,  Robt.  Passer  domesticus.  Birds  of  the  West  of  Scot- 
land, p.  141.  Glasgow.  1871. 

1871.  Adams,  IT.  G.  Fringilla  or  Passer  domestica.  Nests  and  Eggs 
of  Familiar  Birds,  p.  182.  London,  1871. 

1871.  Wallace,  A.  R.  House  Sparrow.  Contributions  to  the  Theory 
of  Natural  Selection,  p.  228.  N.  Y.,  1871. 

1871.  Darwin,  C.  Passer  domesticus.  The  Descent  of  Man,  chap.  15, 
p.  162  ;  chap.  1G,  p.  203.  N.  Y.,  1871. 

1871.  Adams,  11.  G.  Sparrow.  Common,  House,  or  Domestic  Spar- 
row. Nests  and  Eggs  of  Familiar  Birds,  p.  132,  h'g.  43.  Lon- 
don, 1871. 

1871.  Gray,  Robt.  The  House  Sparrow.  Passer  domesticus.  The 
Birds  of  the  West  of  Scotland,  p.  141.  Glasgow,  1871. 

1871.  Colange,  L.      Common  Sparrow.      Pyrgita  domestica.     Zell's 
Popular  Encyclopedia,  vol.  i,  p.  901.     Phila.,  1871. 

1872.  Coues,    Dr.    Elliott.     English    Sparrow    (Passer   domesticus). 
Key  to  North  American  Birds,  p.  146.     Salem,  1872. 

1872.  Peabody,  Selim  H.     English  Sparrow.     Cecil's  Book  of  Birds, 

p.  233.     Phila.,  1872. 
1872.  Wood,  J.  G.      Passer   domesticus.      The    Illustrated    Natural 

History  of  Birds,  3  vols.,  p.  472.     London,  1872. 
1872.    Cordeaux,   Jno.     Passer   domesticus.     Birds   of  the    Humber 

District,  p.  52.     London,  1872. 
1872.  Shelley,  G.  E.     Passer  domesticus.     A  Handbook  to  the  Birds 

of  Egypt,  p.  148.     London,  1872. 

1872.  Gubernatis.  Angelo  de.     Zoological  Mythology,  vol.  ii,    chap. 
5,  p.  242.     2 'vols.     London,  1872. 

1873.  Blackwood,  Rev.  Wm.      The   Sparrow.       Potter's    Complete 
Bible  Encyclopaedia,  p.  1555.     Phila.,  1873. 

1873.  Studer,  J.  H.     Domestic  Sparrow  (P.  domesticus).     Classifica- 
tion of  Birds.     The   Birds   of  North   America,  part  ii,  p.  41. 
Columbus,  1873. 

1874.  Bouvicr,  Maison  A.     Passer  domesticus.     Catalogue  de  la  Col- 
lection Ornithologique,  p.  93.     Paris,  1874. 

1874.  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway.  Pyrgita  domestica.  A  History 
of  North  American  Birds,  3  vols.,  vol.  i,  p.  525.  Boston,  1874. 

1874.  Gray,  G.  R.  Passer  domesticus.  Catalogue  de  la  Collection 
Ornithologique,  p.  93.  Paris,  1874. 


124  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1874.  Brewer,  Thos.  M.     The  European  House  Sparrow.     The  Ame- 
rican Naturalist,  p.  556,  vol.  viii.     Salem.  1874. 
1874.  Gentry,  Thos.  G.    English  Sparrows.    The  American  Naturalist, 

vol.  viii,  p.  667-672.     Salem,  1874. 
1874.  Coues,  Elliott.     English  Sparrow.     The  American  Naturalist, 

vol.  viii,  p.  436.     Salem,  1874. 
1874.  Gould,  Stephen.     English  Sparrow.     The  American  Naturalist, 

vol.  viii.  p.  697.     Salem,  1874. 
1874.    Coues,    Elliott.     Passer   domesticns.      Check    List   of  North 

American  Birds,  no.  187.  p.  39.     Salem,  1874. 
1874.  Wheaton,  J.  M.     English  Sparrow  (P.  domesticns).     The  Food 

of  Birds  as  Related  to  Agriculture.     Ohio  Agricultural  Report, 

p.  6.     Columbus,  1874. 
1874.  Wade,  Jos.  M.     Pet  Sparrows.     Fancier's  Journal  and  Poultry 

Exchange,  p.  1 18,  vol.  i.     Phila,  1874. 
1874.  Wade,  Jos.  M.     War  on  the  Sparrows.     Fancier's  Journal  and 

Poultry  Exchange,  p.  426,  vol.  i.     Phila.,  1874. 
1874.  Pettigrew,  J.  B.     House  Sparrow.     Animal  Locomotion,  p.  129. 

The  International  Scientific  Series.     N.  Y.,  1874. 
1874.  Brewer,  T.  M.     The  European  House  Sparrow.     The  American 

Naturalist,  vol.  viii,  p.  556.     Salem,  1874. 
1874.  Indictment  of  the  English    Sparrows.     The    Popular    Science 

Monthly,  vol.  v.  p.  763.     N.  Y.,  1874. 

1874.  Gibbons.  Phebe  Earle.     The  Sparrow's  Nest.     The  Children's 
Friend,  vol.  ix,  no.  1,  p.  206.     Coatesville,  Pa.,  1874. 

1873.  Editor.     Our  Feathered  Emigrants.    Godey's  Lady's  Book.  vol. 
87.  p.  472.     Phila,  1873. 

1875.  Flagg,  W.     The  House  Sparrow.     The  Birds  and  Seasons  of 
New  England,  p.  419.     Boston,  1875. 

1875.  White,  Gilbert.     City  Sparrow.     Natural  Hibtory  and  Antiq- 
uities of  Selborne,  with  Notes  by  Frank  Buckland,  p.  103,  393. 

London.  1875. 
1875.  Irby,  Lieut.-Col.  L.  Howard.     Passer  domesticus.     Ornithology 

of  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  p.  119.     London,  1875. 
1875.  Wood.  Rev.  J.  G.     The  Sparrow.     Wood's  Bible  Animals,  p. 

395.     Phila,  1875. 
1875.  Giebel,  Dr.  C.  J.     Fringilla  domestica.     Thesaurus  Ornitholo- 

gia3,  p.  199.     Leipzig,  1875. 
1875.  Wade.  Jos.  M.     The  English  Sparrow.     Fancier's  Journal  and 

Poultry  Exchange,  p.  638,  vol.  2.     Phila,  1875. 
1875.  Wade,  Jos.  M.     A  Story  of  a  Sparrow.     Fancier's  Journal  and 

Poultry  Exchange,  p.  334,  vol.  ii.     Phila,  1875. 
1875.  Fordham,  H.  G.     Destruction  of  Flowers  by  Birds.     Nature, 

vol.  xii,  p.  7.     London,  1875. 
1875.  Edwardes,  D.     Destruction  of  Flowers  by  Birds.     Nature,  vol. 

xii.  p.  108.     London,  1875. 
1875.  Wood,  J.  G.     Martins  Sitting  in  Judgment  on  a  Sparrow,  and 

Killing  Him.    Man  and  Beast  Here  and  Hereafter,  chap.  5,  p.  47. 

N.  Y,  1875. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  125 

1875.  "Wood,  J.  G.     The  Generous  Sparrow.     Man  and  Beast  Here 

and  Hereafter,  chap.  8,  p.  72.     N.  Y.,  1875. 
1875.  Wood,  J.  G.     A  Lame  Sparrow  and  its  Ways.     Man  and  Beast 

Here  and  Hereafter,  chap.  14,  p.  114.     N.  Y.,  1875. 
1875.  Berthoud,  H.     The  Sparrow.     Stories  of  Bird  Life,  chap.  3,  p. 

33.     London,  1875. 
1875.  Common  Sparrow  or  House  Sparrow  (P.  domesticus).     Cham- 

bers's   Encyclopaedia;  American  Revised  Edition,  vol.  ix,  p.  21. 

10  vols.     Phila.,  1875. 
1875.  Robinson,  W.   R.      A    List   of    Albino    Birds.      Forest    and 

Stream,  vol.  v,  no.  21,  p.  323.     N.  Y.,  1875. 
1875.  A  Worm  that  the   Sparrows  Refuse.     The    Popular    Science 

Monthly,  vol.  vi,  p.  377.     N.  Y.,  1875. 

1875.  Blake,  C.  C.     House  Sparrow.     Zoology  for  Students,  p.  114, 
fig.     London,  1875. 

1876.  Gentry,  Thos.  G.     Passer  domesticus.     Life-Histories  of  Birds 
of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  2  vols.,  vol.  i,  p.  314.     Phila.,  187G. 

1876.  D'Hamonville,  J.  C.  L.  T.  Catalogue  des  Oiseaux  d'Europe, 
etc.,  8vo.,  p.  74.  Paris,  1876. 

1876.  Dresser,  H.  E.  Passer  domesticus.  English  Sparrow;  House 
Sparrow.  A  History  of  the  Birds  of  Europe,  etc.,  p.  — ,  part 
xlviii.  1876. 

1876.  Jordan,  David  Starr.  Passer  domesticus.  Manual  of  the  Ver- 
tebrates of  the  U.  S.,  p.  83.  Chicago,  1876. 

1876.  Pyrgita  domestica.  English  Sparrow.  Birds  of  Lower  Michi- 
gan. Forest  and  Stream,  p.  214,  vol.  vi,  no.  14.  New  York,  1876. 

1876.  The  European  Tree  Sparrow  in  the  United  States.  The  Ame- 
rican Naturalist,  vol.  x,  p.  50.  Boston,  1876. 

1876.  Mivart.  St.  Geo.  Lessons  from  Nature,  chap.  10,  p.  317.  N. 
Y.,  1876. 

1876.  Ripley,  G.,  Dana,  C.  A.  House  Sparrow  (P.  domesticus). 
The  American  Encyclopaedia,,  vol.  xv,  p.  230.  N.  Y.,  1876. 

1876.  Fowler,  H.  G.  Birds  of  Central  New  York.  Forest  and 
Stream,  vol.  vi,  no.  21.  p.  337.  N.  Y.,  1876. 

1876.  Covert,  A.  B.  Birds  of  Lower  Michigan.  Forest  and  Stream, 
vol.  vi,  no.  14,  p.  214.  N.  Y.,  1876. 

1876.  School  Boys  as  Naturalists.  Forest  and  Stream,  vol.  vi,  no.  11, 
p.  163.  N.  Y.,  1876. 

1876.  Goode,  G.  B.  Prof.  Goode's  Diary  at  the  Capital.  Forest 
and  Stream,  vol.  vi,  no.  8,  p.  115.  N.  Y.,  1876. 

1876.  Gray,  A.  F.  Resident  Birds  of  Danvers,  Mass.  Forest  and 
Stream,  vol.  vi,  no.  12,  p.  281.  N.  Y..  1876. 

1876.  Abbott,  C.  C.  Repetition  of  Nesting  in  Birds.  Forest  and 
Stream,  vol.  v,  no.  22,  p.  340.  N.  Y.,  1876. 

1876.  Merrill,  J.  C.  Forest  and  Stream,  vol.  v,  no.  24,  p.  372.  N. 
Y.,  1876. 

1876.  Webster.  Noah.  The  Common  Sparrow  or  House  Sparrow  of 
Europe  (Passer  [FringillaJ  domestica).  A  Dictionary  of  the 
English  Language,  pp.  1266,  1735.  Springfield,  Mass.,  1876. 


126  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1877.  Brewer,  T.  M.     The  Sparrow  Question.     The  American  Culti- 
vator, Aug.  25,  1877. 

1877.  Gentry,  T.  G.     The  Sparrow  Question.     The  American  Culti- 
vator, p.  2,  no.  42,  vol.  39.     Boston.  1877. 
1877.    Coues,   Dr.   Elliott.      The   English   Sparrow.      The   Chicago 

Field,  p.  373,  vol.  vii,  no.  23.     Chicago,  1877. 
1877.  Minot,  H.  D.     Passer  domesticus.     The  Land  Birds  and  Game 

Birds  of  New  England,  p.  235.     Salem.  1877. 
1877.    Brewer,    T.  M.     Sparrow.     The   Gazette,   no.   26,   vol.  xvii. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  1877. 
1877.  The  English  Sparrow.     Forest  and  Stream  and  Rod  and  Gun, 

p.  261,  no.  17,  vol.  viii.     New  York,  1877. 
1877.    Anonymous.     The  Sparrow  Again.     Forest  and  Stream  and 

Rod  and  Gun,  pp.  379,  380,  no.  23,  vol.  viii.     New  York,  1877. 
1877.  Anonymous.     The  Starlings  in  Central  Park.    Some  Disparag- 
ing Comments  about  the  Sparrows.     Forest  and  Stream  and  Bod 

and  Gun,  pp.  307,  308  no.  19,  vol.  viii.     New  York,  1877. 
1877.    Anonymous.      Further   Evidence    on    the    Sparrow  Question. 

Forest  and  Stream  and  Rod  and  Gun,  p.  420,  no.  25,  vol.  viii.    New 

York,  1877. 
1877.    Anonymous.      My  English  Sparrow.     Rod  and  Gun,  p.  341, 

no.  125,  vol.  vii,  new  series.     New  York,  1877. 
1877.    Purdie,  H.  A.     The  Sparrow  in  Boston.     Daily  Advertiser. 

Boston,  1877. 
1877.  Brewer,  T.  M.     The  Sparrow  Again.     The  Gazette,  no.  4,  vol. 

xviii.     Washington,  1877. 
1877.    Jouy,  Pierre  Louis.      Passer  domesticus.      Catalogue   of  the 

Birds  of  the  District  of  Columbia.     Field  and  Forest,  p.  In5,  no. 

9,  vol.  ii.     Washington,  1877. 
1877.  Coues  and  Prentiss.  Passer  domesticus.     Remarks  on  Birds  of 

the  District  of  Columbia.     Forest  and  Stream,  p.  192,  no.  11, 

vol.  ii.     Washington,  1877. 
1877.   Coues  and  Prentiss.-     Passer  domesticus.      Catalogue  of  the 

Birds  of  the  District  of  Columbia  prepared  by  P.  L.  Jouy.  with 

remarks  on  the   Birds  of  the  District   by ,  pp.  5,  10. 

Washington,  1877. 
1877.    Langdon,  F.  W.     Passer   domesticus.     A    Catalogue    of  the 

Birds  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati,  with   Notes,  p.  9.     Salem, 

3877. 
1877.    Coues,  Elliott.     The  Gazette,  vol.  xviii.     Washington,  D.  C., 

1877. 

1877.  The  Gazette,  No.  25,  vol.  xvii.     Washington,  1877. 
1877.    Nelson,  E.  W.     Pyrgita  domestica.     House  Sparrow.     Birds 

of  Northeastern  Illinois.     Bulletin  of  the  Essex  Institute,  p.  106, 

vol.  viii,  December,  Nos.  9-12.     1874. 
1877.  Merriam,  C.  H.    Passer  domesticus.    English  Sparrow  ;  House 

Sparrow.     A  Review  of  the  Birds  of  Connecticut.     New  Haven, 

1877.     From  the  Transactions  of  the  Connecticut  Academy,  p. 

40,  vol.  iv.     1877. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  127 

1877.  Anon.  Sparrows  Taking  Care  of  a  Sick  Bird.  The  Times,  no. 
870.  Fhila..  1877. 

1877.  Anon.  About  the  English  Sparrow.  The  Popular  Science 
Monthly,  no.  64,  p.  506.  N.  Y.,  1877. 

1877.  Anon.  About  Sparrows.  The  Scientific  American,  vol.  xxxvii, 
p.  80.  New  Series.  N.  Y.,  1877. 

1877.  Maynard,  C.  J.  Passer  domestica.  European  House  Sparrow. 
The  Naturalist's  Guide,  p.  120.  Salem,  1877. 

1877.  Scott,  W.  E,  D.  Notes  from  Central  New  York.  The  Coun- 
try, vol.  i,  no.  10,  p.  115.  N.  Y.,  1877. 

1877.  Sparrows.  Illustrated  Introductory  History  and  Synopsis  of 
the  Books  of  the  Bible,  p.  139.  The  Holy  Bible.  Harding's 
Crown  Edition.  Phila.,  1877. 

1877.  Anonymous.  Our  Familiar  Birds.  Harper's  New  Monthly 
Magazine,  vol.  54,  no.  323,  p.  656.  N.  Y.,  1877. 

1877.  Gill,  Theodore.  Pyrgita  domestica  or  Passer  domesticus. 
Johnson's  New  Encyclopaedia,  vol.  iv,  p.  407.  Alvin  J.  John- 
son &  Sons,  Publishers.  New  York,  1877. 

1877.  Coues,  Elliott.     The  Sparrow  once  More.    The  Gazette,  vol. 
xviii,  no.  5.     Washington,  D.  C.,  1877. 

1878.  Anon.     Birds  and  Birds.     Scribner's  Monthly,  vol.  xv,  no.  3. 
p.  354.     N.Y.,  1878. 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  LIST.      DATES  OF  PUBLICATION  UNKNOWN  OR 
UN  MENTION  ED. 

Menault,  E.     Combination  Among  the  Swallows.     The  Intelligence  of 

Animals,  p.  143. 
Jardine,  Sir  William.     The  House  Sparrow,  Pyrgita  domestica.     The 

Naturalist's  Library,  vol.  ii,  p.  293.     London. 
Swainson,  W.     Destruction  of  Birds.     On  the  Habits  and  Instincts  of 

Animals,  chap.  7,  p.  225.     London. 
Brougham,  II.  L.     Head  of  the  Sparrow.     The  Circle  of  the  Sciences. 

p.  346,  fig.  551.     London. 
Jones,   T.   It.     The    Common    and    House  Sparrow  (P.  domesticus). 

Cassell's  Book  of  Birds,  vol.  i,  p.  131.     4  vois. 
Boilard,   M.     Fringilla  domestica.     Histoire   Naturelle  des  Oiseaux 

d' Europe. 
Boitard,  M.     Fringille  domestique.     Histoire  Naturelle  des  Oiseaux 

d'Europe,  4to.,  planche  xix,  p.  38. 
Temminck,  M.     Gros-Bec  Moineau  (F.  domestica).     Tableau  Method- 

ique,  p.  47. 
Prevost,    Florent.       Gros-Bec   Moineau    (F.    domestica).       Histoire 

Naturelle  des  Oiseaux  d'Europe,  pi.  63,  p.  141.     Paris. 
Sydney,  Sir  Philip.     "  Good  brother  Philip."     Astrophel,  p.  83. 


128  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Fleming.     Pyrgita  domestica.     British  Animals,  p.  83. 

Anonymous.     The  Common  Sparrow.     The  Natural  History  of  Birds, 

3.vols.,  p.  101,  and  plate,  vol.  iii.     London. 
The  House  Sparrow.     Cassell's  Popular  Natural  History,  vol.  iii,  p. 

130.     London. 
Jennings,  C.     The  House  Sparrow.     The  Eggs  of  British  Birds,  p. 

170. 

Wood,  Chas.  T.     House  Sparrow  (Passer  domesticus).     The  Ornitho- 
logical Guide,  p.  195.     London. 

Krliper,  Dr.     Passer  domesticus.     Birds  of  Greece,  p.  201. 
Lemaire,  C.  L.    Fringilla  domestica.    Histoire  Naturelle  des  Oiseaux 

d'Europe.     Premiere  Partie  Passereaux,  Bvo.,  p.  141.     Paris. 
Blyth,  Edward.     Passer  domesticus.     Catalogue  of  the  Birds  in  ths 

Museum  of  the  Asiatic  Society,  8vo.,  p.  119.     Calcutta. 
Barlow,  T.  W.     Passer  domesticus.     A  Chart  of  British  Ornithology. 

London. 
Kaluza,  August.  Haussperling  (F.  domestica).    Ornithologia  Silesiaca, 

8vo.,  p.  77.     Breslau. 

Hewitson.    Passer  domesticus.    British  Oology,  p.  57.  pi.  xli.    London. 
Aristotle.     History  of  Animals,  book  2,  11  §  8,  p.  40  ;  2,  12  \  16,  40  ; 

3,  10  \  11,  64 ;  5.  2  I  2,  102  ;  8,  5  §  3,  202  ;  9,  8  §  5,  240  ;  9,  15  \ 

1,  246  ;  9,  36  $  5,  277.     Interpreted  by  Cresnell's  Translation. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN     INITIAL     FINE     OF     25     CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


APR     8  1933 

APR     9    1933 
APR   10  1933 


OCT  19  1939 

DEC  1.8 

Mtf  36 

7Apr'58BBX 

REC'D  LO 
MAR 

|7Mav'60VI5 


INTER-LIBRARY 
LOAN 


30 


r^e.w  * 

MAY  i?  I960 


24 


JAN  0  5  1990 
CIRCULATION 


LD  21-50m-l,'3J 


U.C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


268446 


